[Mat 24:32-33 LITV] But learn the parable of the fig tree: When its branch becomes tender and it puts out leaves, you know that the summer is near; [33] so also you, when you see all these things, know that it is near at the doors.
Jesus rebuked his listeners for not being able to discern:
The Great Tribulation is a dictated seven year time period (see below).
[Mat 16:2-3 LITV] But answering, He said to them, Evening coming on, you say, Clear sky, for the sky is red. [3] And at morning, Today a storm, for the sky is red, being overcast. Hypocrites! You indeed know how to discern the face of the heaven, but you cannot the signs of the times.
Isaiah uses the language of birth pains and labor to describe the distress or tribulation that comes before His return, the resurrection, and the redemption of all the world.
[Isa 26:16-18 LITV] Jehovah, they visited You in distress; they poured out a whisper; Your chastening was to them [17] as a woman with child draws near to bear, she writhes and cries out in her pangs. So are we before You, Jehovah. [18] We conceived; we writhe; as it were, we gave birth to wind. We have not worked salvation for the earth; and those living in the world have not fallen.
[Isa 26:19-21 LITV] Your dead ones shall live, my dead body, they shall rise up. Awake and sing, dust dwellers; for the dew of lights is your dew; and the earth shall cast out departed spirits. [20] Come, My people, go in your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide for a little moment, until the fury passes. [21] For, behold, Jehovah comes out of His place to visit his iniquity on those dwelling on the earth. The earth shall also reveal her blood, and shall no more cover over her slain ones.
[Isa 66:7-9 LITV] Before she travailed, she brought forth; before pain came to her, she delivered a male child. [8] Who has heard a thing like this? Who has seen things like these? Shall the earth be brought forth in one day? Shall a nation be born in one step? For Zion travailed and also brought forth her sons. [9] Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Jehovah. Surely I cause birth, and hold back, says your God.
[Isa 66:10-14 LITV] Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all who love her. Rejoice a rejoicing with her, all who mourn for her; [11] that you may suck and be satisfied with her comforting breasts; that you may milk out and delight yourselves with the fullness of her glory. [12] For so says Jehovah: Behold, I stretch out peace to her like a river, and glory of nations like an overflowing torrent. And you shall suck; you shall be carried on the side and be dandled on knees. [13] As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. [14] And you will see, and your heart shall rejoice; and your bones shall flourish like the grass. And the hand of Jehovah shall be known toward His servants, and He shall be indignant with His enemies.
Jeremiah uses the same language:
[Jer 30:4 LITV] And these are the Words that Jehovah spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah: [5] For so says Jehovah, We have heard a sound of trembling, of dread, and not of peace. [6] Ask now and see whether a male is giving birth? Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, like a woman giving birth, and all faces are turned to paleness? [7] Alas! For that day is great, for none is like it. And it is a time of Jacob's trouble, but he will be saved out of it.
In Daniel 12, the angel Gabriel quotes both Isaiah and Jeremiah and speaks of the resurrection taking place after the Antichrist’s reign of terror.
[Dan 12:1-2 LITV] And at that time, Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of distress, such as has not been from the being of a nation until that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the Book. [2] And many of those sleeping in the earth's dust shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproaches and to everlasting abhorrence.
The Disciples came to Him and asked Him what were the signs.
[Mat 24:3 LITV] And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And, What is the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?
Yeshua draws from the OT Prophets:
[Mat 24:15-21 LITV] Then when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one reading, let him understand), [Dan. 11:31; 12:11] [16] then let those in Judea flee into the mountains; [17] the one on the housetop, let him not go down to take anything out of his house; [18] and the one in the field, let him not turn back to take his garment. [19] But woe to the ones having a child in womb, and to those suckling in those days! [20] And pray that your flight will not occur in winter nor in a sabbath. [21] For there will be great affliction, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.
Where in the Bible are we told that the Tribulation period will be seven years?
The concept is found in both Daniel and Revelation. Daniel informs us that a period of seven years is set apart in the Last Days, with the second half (3.5 years) comprising the actual tribulation.
The concept is found in both Daniel and Revelation. Daniel informs us that a period of seven years is set apart in the Last Days, with the second half (3.5 years) comprising the actual tribulation.
[Dan 9:24-25 LITV] Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people, and as to your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. [25] Know, then, and understand that from the going out of a word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks and sixty two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in times of affliction.
[Dan 9:26-27 LITV] And after sixty two weeks, Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of a coming ruler shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, and war shall be until the end. [27] And he shall confirm a covenant with the many for one week. And in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And on a corner of the altar will be abominations that desolate, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall pour out on the desolator.
[Dan 7:25 LITV] And he shall speak words against the Most High, and he shall wear out the saints of the Most High. And he intends to change times and law. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and one half time.
[Dan 12:5-7 LITV] And I, Daniel, looked. And, behold! Another two stood there, the one on this side, and one on that side of the river's edge. [6] And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was on the waters of the river, Until when is the end of the wonders? [7] And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was on the waters of the river, when he held up his right and his left hand to the heavens and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and a half. And when they have made an end of scattering the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
[Dan 12:11-12 LITV] And from the time the regular sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that desolates set up, a thousand, two hundred and ninety days shall occur. [12] Blessed is he who waits and comes to the thousand, three hundred and thirty five days.
[Rev 11:3 LITV] And I will give to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, dressed in sackcloth.
[Rev 11:2 LITV] And cast aside the outside court of the temple, and do not measure it. For it was given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city forty two months.
[Rev 12:14 LITV] And two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness, to her place, where she is nourished there a time, and times, and half a time, away from the serpent's face.
[Rev 13:5 LITV] And a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given to it. And authority to act forty two months was given to it.
[Dan 9:24, 27 LITV] Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people, and as to your holy city... [27] And he shall confirm a covenant with the many for one week. And in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And on a corner of the altar will be abominations that desolate, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall pour out on the desolator.
According to Matthew 24:21 part of this seven year period is known as "Great Tribulation".
What kicks off, or starts the clock on, this seven year period?
Daniel 9:27 -
Daniel 9:27 -
“And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week” [NASB]
“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week” [ESV]
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’.” [NIV]
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week” [KJV]
Does a new temple need to be built on the temple mount before this seven year period starts, and if so, where do we find that in the Bible?
The Bible is very clear that sacrifices will be reestablished in the Temple in Jerusalem.
While it may very well be a brick and mortar structure, it could also be something as simple as a tent.
Daniel in particular lays the foundation for this concept mentioning the following concepts four times: [1] “The Abomination that Causes Desolation” and [2] “the ceasing of offerings”.
[Dan 8:9-11 LITV] And out of one of them came a little horn which became very great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the bountiful land. [10] And it became great, even to the host of the heavens. And it caused some of the host and of the stars to fall to the ground, and it trampled them. [11] Yea, he magnified himself even to the leader of the host. And the regular sacrifice was taken away by him, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
[Dan 8:12-14 LITV] And a host was given with the regular sacrifice because of transgression. And it threw the truth down to the ground, and it worked and prospered. [13] Then I heard a certain holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that one who spoke, Until when is the vision, the regular sacrifice and the desolating transgression, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled? [14] And he said to me, For two thousand, three hundred evenings and mornings, then the sanctuary will be put right.
[Dan 11:31 LITV] And forces will stand away from him, and they will profane the sanctuary, the fortress. And they shall remove the regular sacrifice, and they will place the abomination that desolates.
[Dan 12:11 LITV] And from the time the regular sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that desolates set up, a thousand, two hundred and ninety days shall occur.
In the New Testament, Jesus, Paul, and John all build upon Daniel’s prophecy.
[Mat 24:15-21 LITV] Then when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one reading, let him understand), [Dan. 11:31; 12:11] [16] then let those in Judea flee into the mountains; [17] the one on the housetop, let him not go down to take anything out of his house; [18] and the one in the field, let him not turn back to take his garment. [19] But woe to the ones having a child in womb, and to those suckling in those days! [20] And pray that your flight will not occur in winter nor in a sabbath. [21] For there will be great affliction, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.
[2Th 2:3-4 LITV] Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because that Day will not come unless first comes the falling away, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, [4] the one opposing and exalting himself over everything being called God, or object of worship, so as for him "to sit in the temple of God" as God, setting forth himself, that he is God. [Dan. 11:36; Eze. 28:2]
[Rev 11:1-2 LITV] And a reed like a staff was given to me, and the angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those worshiping in it. [2] And cast aside the outside court of the temple, and do not measure it. For it was given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city forty two months.
naós or hierón
Used specifically of the Temple in Jerusalem 104 times.
Used for a heathen temple or shrine 3 times.
Used metaphorically to refer to a spiritual temple; either Christ, individual Christians, or the Church 9 times.
Some have argued that because “temple” is sometimes used metaphorically in the New Testament, that the Antichrist might not actually sit in the literal Temple in Jerusalem. This is nonsense. There is no way that the references to the Temple and the Abomination that Causes desolation in Daniel can be understood as referring to anything other than the literal Temple in Jerusalem. A Temple will most assuredly be rebuilt.
Explain this event called the "rapture".
“The rapture” is an English term used to describe the moment when believers will rise to meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds.
The origin of the term comes from Paul's comments in 1 Thessalonians in which he uses the Greek word harpazo meaning “to snatch away” or “to seize”. Paul also explained the rapture in some detail in 1 Corinthians 15.
The Old Testament taught two things: [1] Someday God would “come” from heaven to save His people. [2] Someday the righteous dead would be resurrected or raised back to life out of the earth.
The New Testament explains [1] That both of these things occur together at the same time. [2] How those who are alive when God comes will actually experience the resurrection. They will be transformed and “caught up to meet the Lord in the air”.
[Mat 24:29-31 LITV] And immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30] And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the land will wail. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. [Dan. 7:13] [31] And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens to their ends.
[1Co 15:20-23 LITV] But now Christ has been raised from the dead; He became the firstfruit of those having fallen asleep. [21] For since death is through man, also through a Man is a resurrection of the dead; [22] for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruit; afterward those of Christ at His coming.
[1Co 15:51-52 LITV] Behold, I speak a mystery to you: we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed. [52] In a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet; for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.
[1Th 4:13-18 LITV] But I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who sleep, that you not grieve, as the rest also, not having hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. [15] For we say this to you in the Word of the Lord, that we the living who remain to the coming of the Lord will not at all go before those who have fallen asleep. [16] Because the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel's voice, and with God's trumpet. And the dead in Christ will rise again first. [17] Then we who remain alive will be caught up [harpazo] together with them in the clouds to a meeting with the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. [18] So, then, comfort each other with these words.
What are the differences between the different rapture positions?
There is [1] the Pre-Tribulational Rapture, [2] Mid-Trib, [3] Pre-Wrath, and [4] Post-Trib. What do these different terms mean?
These terms are all used to describe different beliefs concerning when the rapture will take place in relation to the final seven years.
We often hear that the rapture is imminent—it can happen at any moment, without any preceding signs. Is this true?
“The New Testament is consistent in its anticipation that the return of Christ might occur at any moment” —John MacArthur
“From the very earliest days of the church, the apostles and first-generation Christians nurtured an earnest expectation and fervent hope that Christ might suddenly return at any time to gather His church to heaven.” —John MacArthur
Passages often cited to argue for imminency:
[Jas 5:8 LITV] You also be long-suffering. Set your hearts firmly, because the coming of the Lord has drawn near.
[Tit 2:13 LITV] looking for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
[Mat 24:42 LITV] Watch, then, for you do not know in what hour your Lord comes.
[Mat 25:13 LITV] Therefore, watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes.
“Imminence” as taught by those who teach the pre-tribulational rapture is entirely unbiblical.
Paul specifically said the rapture cannot happen unless the apostasy and the revealing of the Antichrist comes first.
[2Th 2:1-4 LITV] And, brothers, we entreat you, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together to Him, [2] for you not to be quickly shaken in the mind, nor to be disturbed, neither through a spirit, nor through speech, nor through letter, as through us, as if the Day of Christ has come. [3] Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because that Day will not come unless first comes the falling away, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, [4] the one opposing and exalting himself over everything being called God, or object of worship, so as for him "to sit in the temple of God" as God, setting forth himself, that he is God. [Dan. 11:36; Eze. 28:2]
The terms “the day of the Lord” or “the coming of our Lord Jesus” are sometimes used broadly to refer to all of the events of the Last-Days. So yes, the New Testament does call us to be prepared for the Lord’s return. But it was well understood that this meant: [1] Being prepared to face the great tests and tribulations that precede His coming. [2] To make sure we are in the faith so as to escape the vengeance and judgment upon unbelievers that occurs when He returns.
[1Th 5:1-4 LITV] But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need for it to be written. [2] For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord, as a thief in the night, so it comes. [3] For when they say, Peace and safety! Then suddenly destruction comes upon them, like the travail to the one having babe in womb, and not at all shall they escape. [4] But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you as a thief.
[Mat 3:5-8 LITV] Then Jerusalem and all Judea went out to him, and all the neighborhood of the Jordan, [6] and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. [7] But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] Therefore, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
Various signs need to be fulfilled before Jesus can return. For example, in order for the Antichrist to enter into the covenant leading to the restoration of sacrifices in the Temple in Jerusalem, Israel had to be restored and repatriated by the Jewish people. Therefore, it would have been impossible for Jesus to have returned before Israel was reborn last century.
Many churches in the U.S believe that the rapture is the next thing to happen on this prophetic timeline. Millions have read about it in the Left Behind series. We’ve been taught this from famous bible teachers like Jack Hibbs and Greg Laury. We’ve been told that we could be raptured out of here any moment. Could you share why we don’t believe it. What does the Bible actually say about this?
There is not a single verse in the entire Bible that teaches a pre-tribulational rapture. Period. Even leading pre-tribulational scholars admit this.
Yeshua places the harpazo (rapture) after the tribulation:
[Mat 24:29-31 LITV] And immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30] And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the land will wail. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. [Dan. 7:13] [31] And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens to their ends.
Paul tells us that Christians should expect relief from the trials and tribulations of this age to come specifically when Jesus is visibly revealed in flaming fire with His angels:
[2Th 1:4-8 LITV] so as for us to boast ourselves in you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions, and the afflictions which you endure, [5] a clear token of the just judgment of God, for you to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed suffer; [6] since it is a just thing with God to pay back tribulation to the ones troubling you, [7] and to give you, those being afflicted, relief with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with angels of His power, [8] in flaming fire giving full vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, [Isa. 66:15; Jer. 10:25]
We get our new bodies when Jesus returns, not seven years earlier:
[1Co 15:20-23 LITV] But now Christ has been raised from the dead; He became the firstfruit of those having fallen asleep. [21] For since death is through man, also through a Man is a resurrection of the dead; [22] for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruit; afterward those of Christ at His coming.
Paul specifically tells us that the resurrection / rapture will happen after the apostasy and the Antichrist:
[2Th 2:1-4 LITV] And, brothers, we entreat you, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together to Him, [2] for you not to be quickly shaken in the mind, nor to be disturbed, neither through a spirit, nor through speech, nor through letter, as through us, as if the Day of Christ has come. [3] Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because that Day will not come unless first comes the falling away, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, [4] the one opposing and exalting himself over everything being called God, or object of worship, so as for him "to sit in the temple of God" as God, setting forth himself, that he is God. [Dan. 11:36; Eze. 28:2]
The Bible says Jesus will remain in heaven until He returns and does two things: [1] Restore all things. [2] Crush His enemies.
[Act 3:21 LITV] whom Heaven truly needs to receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke through the mouth of all His holy prophets from the age past.
[Heb 10:12-13 LITV] But He, offering but one sacrifice for sins, "sat down" in perpetuity "at the right hand" of God, [13] from then on expecting "until His enemies are placed as a footstool" of His feet. [Psa. 110:1]
The pre-trib rapture says Jesus leaves heaven to rapture the Church 7 years before these things. This violates the Word of God.
The pre-tribulational rapture also specifically violates the high priestly prayer of Jesus, who prayed for all believers NOT to be removed from the world, but instead to be kept from the evil one.
[Joh 17:14-20 LITV] I have given them Your Word, and the world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world. [15] I do not pray that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them in Your Truth; Your Word is Truth. [18] As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world, [19] and I sanctify Myself for them, that they also may be sanctified in Truth. [20] And I do not pray concerning these only, but also concerning those who will believe in Me through their word;
The pre-tribulational rapture teaches that the first resurrection happens seven years before when the Bible says it takes place:
[Rev 20:4-5 LITV] And I saw thrones, and they sat on them. And judgment was given to them, and the souls of the ones having been beheaded because of the witness of Jesus, and because of the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast nor its image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.
The pre-tribulational rapture teaches that there are actually two more comings of Jesus; Scripture says there is only one.
[Heb 9:27-28 LITV] And as it is reserved to men once to die, and after this, Judgment;
[28] so Christ having been once offered "to bear the sins of many," Christ shall appear a second time without sin to those expecting Him for salvation. [Isa. 53:12]
This idea of a pre-tribulation rapture is a fairly new concept. How did this get into the churches and become the most prevalent view in the United States?
First, the early Church universally expected the church to face the tribulation and Antichrist. A few early examples:
The Didache (c.50–c.120) “[T]hen shall appear the deceiver of the world [The Antichrist] … and he shall commit iniquities which have never been since the world began. Then shall the creation of mankind come to the fiery trial and many shall be offended and be lost, but they who endure in their faith shall be saved … Then shall the world see the Lord coming on the clouds of Heaven.” (Didache 16:4–8)
Epistle of Barnabas (c.80–c.100) The final stumbling-block approaches … We take earnest heed in these last days; for the whole time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also withstand coming sources of danger, as becometh the sons of God. That the Black One [Antichrist] may find no means of entrance, let us flee from every vanity, let us utterly hate the works of the way of wickedness. Do not, by retiring apart, live a solitary life, as if you were already justified … Take heed, lest resting at our ease, as those who are the called [of God], we should fall asleep in our sins, and the wicked prince, acquiring power over us, should thrust us away from the kingdom of the Lord. (Epistle of Barnabas, 4)
The Shepherd of Hermas (c.95–c.150) “[Blessed are] you who endure the great tribulation that is coming on, and they who shall not deny their own life.” “Those, therefore, who continue steadfast, and are put through the fire, will be purified by means of it.” (Vision 2:2; 4:3)
Justin Martyr (c.110–c.165) He [Jesus Christ] shall come from heaven with glory, when the man of apostasy [Antichrist], who speaks strange things against the Most High, shall venture to do unlawful deeds on the earth against us the Christians. (Dialogue with Trypho, CX)
Irenaeus (c.120–c.202) And they [the ten kings who serve the Antichrist] shall lay Babylon waste, and burn her with fire, and shall give their kingdom to the beast, and put the Church to flight. (Against Heresies, V, 26, 1) And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, “There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.” For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption. (Against Heresies, V, 29, 1)
Irenaeus (c.120–c.202) “For all these and other words were unquestionably spoken in reference to the resurrection of the just, which takes place after the coming of Antichrist … who have suffered tribulation, as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one.” (Against Heresies, V, 35, 1)
Hippolytus (c.185–c.235) “For when the times advance, he too, [The Antichrist] of whom these thing are said, will be manifested … Now, concerning the tribulation of the persecution which is to fall upon the Church from the adversary … That refers to the one thousand two hundred and threescore days during which the tyrant is to reign and persecute the Church. (Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist, 50, 60, 61, cf. 60–67)
Hippolytus (c.185–c.235) When the times are fulfilled, and the ten horns spring from the beast in the last (times), then Antichrist will appear among them. When he makes war against the saints, and persecutes them, then may we expect the manifestation of the Lord from heaven. (On Daniel, II, 7)
Do you think this (pre-trib) is a dangerous doctrine to teach people because people will not be prepared?
If Pre-Wrathers or Post-Tribbers are wrong, we will be pleasantly surprised.
If Pre-Tribbers are wrong, many will be greatly disappointed, confused, disillusioned, and potentially even shipwrecked.
The Pre-Tribulational view conflicts with the message of bearing our crosses and appeals to shallow, western, self-centered Christianity.
Do you think people are finally seeing the truth of what the Bible says about this? What is driving this shift?
Before the dawn of the internet, what most Christians believed about the rapture was largely determined by the pre-tribulational domination of most seminaries and the major publishing houses. If one was not pretrib, they had a very hard time teaching in seminary or being published. Today, with the information revolution, the internet, and decentralization of all things, many are studying on their own and leaving the pre-tribulational doctrine behind.
Let’s work through some key verses often used to support a pre-trib rapture. Remember, when we study the Bible, we can’t just take a single verse out of context, but must consider the full counsel of Scripture.
[Rev 3:10 LITV] Because you kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you out of the hour of trial which is going to come on all the habitable world in order to try those dwelling on the earth.
Context: This verse was a promise specifically given to one particular Church in the 1st century —not to all Christians.
[Rev 3:7-11 LITV] And to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia, write: These things says the Holy One, the True One, the One having "the key of David," "the One opening, and no one shuts; and shuts, and no one opens:" [Isa. 22:22] [8] I know your works. Behold, I have given a door being opened before you, and no one is able to shut it, for you have a little power and have kept My Word, and have not denied My name. [9] Behold, I give out of the synagogue of Satan those saying themselves to be Jews, and they are not, but they lie. Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they shall know that I loved you. [10] Because you kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you out of the hour of trial which is going to come on all the habitable world in order to try those dwelling on the earth. [11] Behold, I am coming quickly. Hold what you have that no one take your crown.
No one in the church of Philadelphia was raptured to heaven in the 1st century. Because the verse does not promise to rapture anyone. Rather it promises the preservation (keeping) from the destructive effects of tribulations.
The Goshen Patter:
[Exo 8:22 LITV] And in that day I will separate the land of Goshen with My people resting on it, that there be no swarms of flies, so that you may know that I am Jehovah in the midst of the earth.
Canned foods "keep" or are "preserved" through the Winter, but still pass through it. They’re not “raptured” into heaven to escape the Winter. “keep" tēréō: “to watch over, to guard”
Does 1 Corinthians 15 speak of a pretribulational rapture?
[1Co 15:51-53 LITV] Behold, I speak a mystery to you: we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed. [52] In a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet; for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
People will say to me that after Revelation 4:1, the Church is never seen again, so Rev. 4:1 proves that we are raptured out before the rest of the Book of Revelation. Does this verse have anything to do with the rapture?
[Rev 4:1 LITV] After these things I saw. And behold, a door being opened in Heaven! And I heard the first voice as a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what needs to happen after these things.
This is a truly strange and very week argument. Revelation 4:1 simply describes John being taken into heaven to be shown what will take place in the Last-Days. It says nothing about the rapture of the Church whatsoever. John is also told to “come here” in Rev 17:1 and Rev 21:9
Secondly, although the word “Church” is almost never used throughout the rest of the Book of Revelation (except in 22:16), numerous other terms such as “saints,” “God’s people,” “our brethren,” or “God’s servants” are used multiple times throughout Revelation to describe the Church present on the earth throughout the tribulation.
[Rev 12:10-11 LITV] And I heard a great voice saying in Heaven, Now has come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ, because the accuser of our brothers is thrown down, the one accusing them before our God day and night. [11] And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the Word of their testimony. And they did not love their soul even until death.
[Rev 12:17 LITV] And the dragon was enraged over the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, those keeping the commandments of God, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Let’s talk about the “thief in the night verse.” I often hear Christians say that Jesus could come back and get us any moment because the Bible says He will come as a thief in the night.
This is a very common misconception among pre-tribbers. The Scriptures says that Jesus only comes as a thief for unbelievers:
[1Th 5:1-5 LITV] But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need for it to be written. [2] For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord, as a thief in the night, so it comes. [3] For when they say, Peace and safety! Then suddenly destruction comes upon them, like the travail to the one having babe in womb, and not at all shall they escape. [4] But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you as a thief. [5] You are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness.
I hear a lot about the restrainer—can you talk about this?
[2Th 2:5-10 LITV] Do you not remember that I told you these things, I yet being with you? [6] And now you know the thing holding back, for him to be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of lawlessness already is working, only he is holding back now, until it comes out of the midst. [8] And then "the Lawless One" will be revealed, "whom" "the Lord" "will consume" "by the spirit of His mouth," and will bring to nought by the brightness of His presence. [Isa. 11:4] [9] His coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and miraculous signs and lying wonders, [10] and in all deceit of unrighteousness in those being lost, because they did not receive the love of the truth in order for them to be saved.
There are various theories as to who or what the restrainer is. Pre-tribbers claim this is the Holy Spirit, who will be removed from the world when the Church leaves. This is very a bizarre claim. Not only is the Holy Spirit omnipresent, but as we’ve seen, there will indeed be believers on the earth during this time.
Others say the restrainer is Michael the archangel.
Another theory holds that this is actually referring to Satan, the accuser being cast out of heaven down to the earth.
[Rev 12:12-13 LITV] Because of this, be glad, the heavens and those tabernacling in them. Woe to the ones dwelling on the earth, and in the sea, because the devil came down to you having great anger, knowing that he has a little time! [13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast out onto the earth, he pursued the woman who bore the male.
Let’s talk about this verse—because I hear this a lot. We will be raptured out of here because 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says: “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ".
[1Th 5:9 LITV] because God has not appointed us to wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
This passage has nothing to do with the rapture whatsoever. Let’s look at the context:
[1Th 5:8-10 LITV] But we being of day should be sober, "having put on the breastplate" of faith and love, and the hope of "salvation as a helmet;" [Isa. 59:17] [9] because God has not appointed us to wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] He dying on our behalf, so that whether we watch or we sleep, we may live together with Him.
Jesus died for us so that we are delivered from His judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment and will instead inherit salvation. Jesus didn’t die for us to deliver us from the tribulation. Pre-tribbers admit there will be many saints on the earth during the Great Tribulation. (They call them “tribulation saints”). If Jesus died for them to save them from the wrath of the tribulation, then why are they on the earth?
Repentance saves us from "eternal" wrath [orgē], but not God’s judgments that are poured out on the earth.
[Joh 3:36 LITV] The one believing into the Son has everlasting life; but the one disobeying the Son will not see life, but the wrath [orgē] of God remains on him.
[Mat 3:5-8 LITV] Then Jerusalem and all Judea went out to him, and all the neighborhood of the Jordan, [6] and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. [7] But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath [orgē] to come? [8] Therefore, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
The wrath of God is already revealed from heaven. Why have we not been raptured?
[Rom 1:18-19 LITV] For God's wrath is revealed from Heaven on all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, holding the truth in unrighteousness, [19] because the thing known of God is clearly known within them, for God revealed it to them.
On one hand, Jesus gives us a timeline for end time events, but He also says:
[Mat 24:36 LITV] But as to that day and that hour, no one knows, neither the angels of Heaven, except My Father only.
Pre-tribbers argue that since we have a timeframe, and since we cannot know “the day or the hour” only pretribulationism can be true. They argue that if Jesus returns at the end of the 7 years, we could simply count 2,520 days from the signing of the peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel to know the exact day.
There are a few significant reasons why we can know the general season, but not the precise day or hour.
A year is 365 days, not 360. 7 years are 2,555 days (not 2,520). This is why Hebrews add an “intercalary month” every now and then. Daniel uses 360 day years. Do we use actual 365 days or 360 day years? These things are endlessly debated with no clear answers. This certainly complicates the claim that we can know the precise day.
Further complicating this matter is the following passage:
[Dan 12:11-12 LITV] And from the time the regular sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that desolates set up, a thousand, two hundred and ninety days shall occur. [12] Blessed is he who waits and comes to the thousand, three hundred and thirty five days.
So do we count 1,260, 1,290, or 1,335 days?
Yom Teruah—The Blasting of Trumpets Many believe Jesus will return at the conclusion of Yom Teruah or the Day of the Blasting of Trumpets. This is also known as “the unknown day,” as the exact day is not known until the sighting of the moon from Jerusalem. It varies from year to year.
"Big Picture" overview...
[Mat 24:3-4 LITV] And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And, What is the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? [4] And answering, Jesus said to them, See that not any leads you astray.
Jesus draws from two key portions of Scripture: Isaiah 26 and 66 (which we previously looked at) using the birth pains analogy for the end of the age. Daniel who gives us the seven year framework with the abomination that causes desolation as the mid-point.
The Beginning of Birth Pains:
[Mat 24:4-8 LITV] And answering, Jesus said to them, See that not any leads you astray. [5] For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ. And they will cause many to be led astray. [6] But you are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See, do not be terrified. For all things must take place, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation will be raised against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines and plagues and earthquakes against many places. [8] But all these are a beginning of throes.
The Actual Birth Pains:
[Mat 24:9-14 LITV] Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. [10] And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another and will hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err. [12] And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end, that one will be kept safe. [14] And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.
The Birth:
[Mat 24:29-31 LITV] And immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30] And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the land will wail. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. [Dan. 7:13] [31] And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens to their ends.
How does Jesus’ Olivet Discourse align with the Book of Revelation?
How does help us to understand the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls in Revelation?
Is the Antichrist the one who will make a treaty with Israel that will start this whole 7 years in motion?
Yes, the individual who makes or strengthens the covenant is the Antichrist. Some have sought to interpret the passage to understand this individual to be Jesus. This view requires a deeply inconsistent approach to the prophecies of Daniel.
Yes, the individual who makes or strengthens the covenant is the Antichrist. Some have sought to interpret the passage to understand this individual to be Jesus. This view requires a deeply inconsistent approach to the prophecies of Daniel.
[Dan 9:24 LITV] Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people, and as to your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. [25] Know, then, and understand that from the going out of a word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks and sixty two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in times of affliction. [26] And after sixty two weeks, Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of a coming ruler shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, and war shall be until the end. [27] And he shall confirm a covenant with the many for one week. And in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And on a corner of the altar will be abominations that desolate, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall pour out on the desolator.
Will he be a friend of Israel to begin with?
He will have enough political capital to gain Israel’s trust to enter into this treaty or covenant. Isaiah says that Israel will come to rely or trust him for their security.
[Isa 10:20 LITV] And it shall be in that day, the remnant of Israel, and the escaped ones from the house of Jacob, shall not any more lean on him who struck him. But they will truly lean on Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel.
[Isa 28:14-15 LITV] So hear the Word of Jehovah, scornful men, rulers of this people in Jerusalem. [15] Because you have said, We have cut a covenant with death; and, We have made a vision with Sheol, when the overwhelming rod passes through it will not come to us for we have made the lie our refuge, and we have hidden in falsehood.
[Isa 28:16-19 LITV] So, the Lord Jehovah says this: Behold, I place in Zion a Stone for a foundation, a tried Stone, a precious Cornerstone, a sure Foundation; he who believes shall not hasten. [17] And I will lay justice for a line, and righteousness for a plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of the lie; and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. [18] And your covenant with death shall be covered; and your vision with Sheol shall not rise up. When the overwhelming whip passes through, then you shall be for a trampling to it. [19] As often as it passes, it shall take you; for morning by morning it shall pass; and by day and by night, it shall only be a terror to understand the message.
You believe the Antichrist will be a Muslim, so talk about why you believe he will come from the Middle East and not Rome.
The case for a Muslim Antichrist is simple: The Bible, and particularly the End-Times narrative is thoroughly Israel centric. Every single verse throughout the Bible that names or identifies the nations that will comprise the Antichrist’s empire are all Middle Eastern or North African nations. There is not a single verse in the Bible that names a non-Muslim majority nation as being part of the Antichrist coalition.
We hear a lot about the Antichrist will rule the world but I don’t think the Bible says that so talk about that.
[Rev 13:7-8 LITV] And it was given to it "to war with the saints, and to overcome them." And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation. [Dan. 7:21] [8] And all those dwelling in the earth will worship it, those of whom the names had not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb having been slain from the foundation of the world.
The Bible actually commonly uses this kind of hyperbole.
[Dan 2:36-28 LITV] This is the dream, and we will tell the meaning of it before the king. [37] You O king are the king of kings. For the God of Heaven has given you the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the honor. [38] And wherever the sons of men, the animals of the field, and the birds of the sky dwell, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all. You are the head of gold.
[Ezr 1:2 LITV] So says Cyrus king of Persia, Jehovah God of Heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
[Luk 2:1 LITV] And it happened in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for all the habitable world to be registered.
While it is clear the Antichrist will have global influence, he will not rule every nation throughout the entire planet. First, the Bible consistently speaks of a ten kings who will form a ten nation coalition under the leadership of the Antichrist.
[Dan 7:7 LITV] And after this I was looking in the night visions. And, behold, the fourth beast was frightening and terrifying, and very strong! And to it were great iron teeth. It devoured, and crushed, and stamped what was left with its feet. And it was different from all the beasts before it; and it had ten horns.
[Dan 7:20 LITV] also of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other which came up, and before whom three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth speaking great things, and its appearance was greater than his fellows.
[Dan 7:24 LITV] And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings; they shall rise, and another shall rise after them. And he shall be different from the first, and he shall humble three kings.
[Rev 12:3 LITV] And another sign was seen in the heavens. And, behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns! And on his heads were seven diadems,
[Rev 13:1 LITV] And I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten diadems, and on its heads names of blasphemy.
[Rev 17:3 LITV] And he carried me away into a desert, by the Spirit. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, filled with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
[Rev 17:7 LITV] And the angel said to me, Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast supporting her, the one having the seven heads and the ten horns.
[Rev 17:12 LITV] And the ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive authority as kings one hour with the beast.
[Rev 17:16 LITV] And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, and will make her desolated and naked. And they will eat her flesh, and will burn her down with fire.
The Antichrist will “invade many countries.” Egypt will fall to his forces. He will invade the land of Israel, called, “the glorious land.” But Jordan will escape “his hand”:
[Dan 11:40-42 LITV] And at the end time, the king of the south will engage in butting with him. And the king of the north shall come against him like a tempest, with chariots and with horsemen and with many ships. And he shall go into the lands and shall overflow and pass over. [41] And he shall enter into the glorious land, and many will be stumbled. But these shall escape out of his hand: Edom and Moab, and the chief of the sons of Ammon. [42] And his hand will stretch out against the lands, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Just a few verses later, it says the Antichrist will hear “news from the east and the north,” which will trouble him and throw him into a frantic state of rage and annihilation.
[Dan 11:44 LITV] But news shall trouble him from the east and from the north. And he will go out with great fury to destroy and to devote many to destruction.
“even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.” [Dan 9:26]
The fact that there will be wars until the end proves that there will be resistor militaries, and thus resistor nations.
At what point in the 7 year period will the Mark of the Beast be established?
The Mark of the Beast is instituted specifically at the mid-point when the Abomination that Causes Desolation is set up. This will set off the Great Tribulation.
[Rev 13:11-15 LITV] And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. And it had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. [12] And it executes all the authority of the first beast before it. And it causes that the earth and those dwelling in it should worship the first beast, of which was healed its deadly wound. [13] And it does great signs, that it even causes fire to come down out of the heaven onto the earth before men. [14] And it deceives those dwelling on the earth, because of the signs which were given to it to do before the beast, saying to those dwelling on the earth to make an image to the beast who has the wound of the sword, and lived. [15] And was given to it to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak, and might cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
[Rev 13:16-17 LITV] And the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, it causes that they give to them all a mark on their right hand, or on their foreheads, [17] even that not any could buy or sell, except the one having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of its name.
Will this start a chain reaction in Israel and the worldwide persecution of Christians?
[Mat 24:15-20 LITV] Then when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one reading, let him understand), [Dan. 11:31; 12:11] [16] then let those in Judea flee into the mountains; [17] the one on the housetop, let him not go down to take anything out of his house; [18] and the one in the field, let him not turn back to take his garment. [19] But woe to the ones having a child in womb, and to those suckling in those days! [20] And pray that your flight will not occur in winter nor in a sabbath.
While there is indeed an Israel centered emphasis to the persecution of the Last Days, Jesus also said that the great persecution will largely revolve around those who bear His name.
[Mat 24:9-12 LITV] Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. [10] And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another and will hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err. [12] And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.
[Mat 24:13-14 LITV] But the one who endures to the end, that one will be kept safe. [14] And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.
[Rev 11:3-6 LITV] And I will give to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, dressed in sackcloth. [4] These are the two olive trees, and the two lampstands, standing before the God of the earth. [5] And if anyone desires to harm them, fire comes out of their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone desires to harm them, so it is right for him to be killed. [6] These have the authority to shut up the heaven, that no rain may rain in the days of their prophecy. And they have authority over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
[Rev 14:6-7 LITV] And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an everlasting gospel to proclaim to those dwelling on the earth, even to every nation and tribe and tongue and people, [7] saying in a great voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him, because the hour of His judgment has come; also, Worship "Him who has made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea," and the springs of waters. [Ex. 20:11]
Talk about the Great Tribulation—what that looks like. Christians will go through the tribulation. We are trying to warn people so they can be spiritually prepared.
[Mat 24:21-22 LITV] For there will be great affliction, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. [22] And except those days were shortened, not any flesh would be saved. But on account of the elect, those days will be shortened.
This next passage troubles me, especially with the state of the Christian churches today. People go to church and put Jesus in a box and most people claiming to be Christians aren’t reading their Bibles. They don’t know this is coming and when it does —it seems that many will fall away.
[Mat 24:9-13 LITV] Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. [10] And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another and will hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err. [12] And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end, that one will be kept safe.
Let’s talk about the Return of Jesus because this next verse makes it clear that it will be a big thing—will it be observable worldwide?
[Mat 24:23-26 LITV] Then if anyone says to you, Behold, here is the Christ! Or, Here! Do not believe. [24] For false christs and false prophets will rise up. And they will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. [25] Behold, I tell you beforehand. [26] Then if they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness; do not go out. Behold, He is in the inner rooms; do not believe.
[Mat 24:27-28 LITV] For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man. [28] For wherever the dead body may be, there the eagles will be gathered.
Jesus’ point here with the lightning (more correctly, shining forth of the morning rays of the sun) and the vultures saying is that it will be obvious, unmistakeable, and impossible to miss.
[Deu 33:2 LITV] And he said: Jehovah came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir for them; He shone forth from Mount Paran, and He came from the myriads of holy ones. At his right hand a law of fire went forth to them.
[Hab 3:3-4 LITV] God comes from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His majesty covers the heavens, and His praise fills the earth. [4] And His brightness is as the light; rays from His hand are His, and there was a covering of His strength.
[Isa 60:1-2 LITV] Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of Jehovah has risen on you! [2] For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples. But Jehovah shall rise on you, and His glory shall be seen on you.
[Mal 4:1-2 LITV] For, behold, the day is coming, burning like a fire pot; and all the proud and every doer of wickedness shall be chaff. And the coming day will set them ablaze, says Jehovah of Hosts, which will not leave root or branches to them.[2] But to you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness shall rise up, and healing will be on His wings. And you shall go out and frisk like calves of the stall.
When Jesus breaks the 6th Seal in Revelation 6, it seems to coincide exactly with what is happening in Matthew 24:29-30.
[Rev 6:12-14 LITV] And I saw when He opened the sixth seal. And behold, a great earthquake occurred. And the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair; and the moon became as blood; [13] and the stars of the heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree being shaken by a great wind casts its unripe figs. [14] And the heaven departed like a scroll being rolled up. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
[Mat 24:29-31 LITV] And immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30] And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the land will wail. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. [Dan. 7:13] [31] And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens to their ends.
The cosmic signs mentioned in the sixth seal point to the rapture, but also the return of Jesus.
Then right after this there are all these people in heaven, so this looks like all these people have been raptured right after the 6th seal—after the great tribulation.
[Rev 7:9-11 LITV] After these things I saw, and behold, a great crowd which no one was able to number them, out of every nation, even tribes and peoples and tongues, standing in front of the throne, and before the Lamb, having been clothed with white robes, and in their hands palm branches. [10] And they cry with a great voice, saying, Salvation to our God sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb. [11] And all the angels and of the elders and of the four living creatures stood around the throne. And they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God,
[Rev 7:12-14 LITV] saying, Amen. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen. [13] And one of the elders answered, saying to me, These, the ones having been clothed in the white robes, who are they, and from where did they come? [14] And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are those coming out of the great tribulation; and they washed their robes and whitened them in the blood of the Lamb.
Those who hold to the Pre-Wrath view see this as those who were raptured. Those who hold to the Post-Trib see these as those who were martyred. Notice what was said just before this:
[Rev 6:9-11 LITV] And when He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those having been slain for the Word of God, and for the witness which they had. [10] And they cried with a great voice, saying, Until when, holy and true Master, do You not judge and take vengeance for our blood, from those dwelling on the earth? [11] And there was given to each one a white robe. And it was said to them that they should rest yet a little time, until might be fulfilled also the number of their fellow-slaves and their brothers, those being about to be killed, even as they.
If Jesus is seen at this point—does He then go back to heaven and then back to earth again on the white horse with the saints and angels for Him to rule and reign?
The Scriptures state that Jesus only returns once and does not return to heaven again.
[Heb 9:27-28 LITV] And as it is reserved to men once to die, and after this, Judgment; [28] so Christ having been once offered "to bear the sins of many," Christ shall appear a second time without sin to those expecting Him for salvation. [Isa. 53:12]
[Act 1:9-11 LITV] And saying these things, as they looked on, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him from their sight. [10] And as they were intently looking into the heaven, He having gone, even behold, two men in white clothing stood by them, [11] who also said, Men, Galileans, why do you stand looking up to the heaven? This Jesus, the One being taken from you into the heaven, will come in the way you saw Him going into the heaven.
[1Th 4:13-17 LITV] But I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who sleep, that you not grieve, as the rest also, not having hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. [15] For we say this to you in the Word of the Lord, that we the living who remain to the coming of the Lord will not at all go before those who have fallen asleep. [16] Because the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel's voice, and with God's trumpet. And the dead in Christ will rise again first. [17] Then we who remain alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to a meeting with the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
[Mat 25:1-6 LITV] Then the kingdom of Heaven shall be compared to ten virgins who taking their lamps, went out to a meeting of the bridegroom. [2] And five of them were wise, and five foolish. [3] Those being foolish, taking their lamps, did not take oil with them. [4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. [5] But the bridegroom delaying, all nodded and slept. [6] And at midnight, a cry occurred: Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him.
[Act 3:21 LITV] whom Heaven truly needs to receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke through the mouth of all His holy prophets from the age past.
[Heb 10:12-13 LITV] But He, offering but one sacrifice for sins, "sat down" in perpetuity "at the right hand" of God, [13] from then on expecting "until His enemies are placed as a footstool" of His feet. [Psa. 110:1]
What does this next verse mean with "generation"?
[Mat 24:34-35 LITV] Truly I say to you, In no way will this generation pass away until all these things have occurred. [35] The heaven and the earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away, never!
Some understand generation to mean the group of people born during that particular period who see these things will not pass away until everything is accomplished.
I think a better view requires understanding how this term is used throughout the Bible. Generation (γενεὰ) here means spiritual offspring or children. It refers to those who reflect the character of their father. So for example, Satan has “children” and the Lord has “children.” Neither is literal. If one is wicked, they are of the righteous “generation.” If they are holy, they are children of God, a “holy “generation.”
This concept begins back in Genesis:
[Gen 3:15 LITV] And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
[Deu 32:5-6 LITV] They have corrupted themselves; they are not His sons; it is their blemish; they are a crooked and perverse generation. [6] Do you thus give back to Jehovah, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father who bought you? Has not He made you and established you?
[Deu 32:18-20 LITV] You forgot the Rock that brought you into being and ceased to care for God who formed you. [19] And Jehovah looked and despised them because of the provocation of His sons and of His daughters. [20] And He said, I will hide My face from them; I will see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, sons in whom is no faithfulness.
[Joh 8:39 LITV] They answered and said to Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, If you were children of Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham.
[1Pe 2:9 LITV] But you are "an elect race," "a royal priesthood," "a holy nation," "a people for possession," so that "you may openly speak of the virtues" of the One who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; [LXX-Ex. 23:22; MT-Ex. 19:5, 6]
More tomorrow....
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