Questions Answered About The Soon Coming Rapture

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The rapture has been a part of a great debate in the church for years. Some believe that it is a recent Bible philosophy and others have traced it back to the Apostles.  Either way, it doesn’t make much difference to me, the rapture is still real and will happen.  The biggest debate lies in whether it will take place before, during or after the tribulation period.   

Personally, I believe that God reveals the secrets of the Bible in His time.  Take a look at Ephesians 3:5. 

“Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit”. 

This is talking about salvation, but can be applied to the way God does business.  He has always revealed the mysteries of the Bible to His servants while confounding the wisdom of the world.  He only reveals it when He deems it time to be revealed and not before.  So if someone tells me that the pre-tribulation rapture is a recent philosophy that doesn’t bother me a bit.  If God chooses to reveal it in these latter days then so be it, but I think there’s ample evidence to trace it back to the early church.  But that’s another article.   

I also look at the men of this age like Charles Stanley, Jerry Falwell, Tim LaHaye, Jimmy DeYoung and others like them to see what they are preaching and teaching.  These are men of God who have proven themselves for decades to be fundamental Bible teachers.   Whether you like them our not they have been chosen to pass on the truths of the Bible to this generation.  They might not agree with each other on every little point but they stand together on the major doctrines. 

Is The Word ‘Rapture’ Found In The Bible?

From time to time I will have someone write me and ask where in the Bible does the word ‘rapture’ appear.  Obviously it’s a weak attempt to prove that the rapture does not exist since the word does not appear in the Bible.  For that matter neither does the word ‘millennium’ but I don’t know any Christian who doesn’t believe that there will be a millennium age.  Of course, the scripture that speaks about the rapture is found in I Thessalonians 4:13-18.  For further discussion on this subject see Question# 57: Where Is The Word Rapture Found In The Bible?

One question I have never had answered by anyone who denies a pre-tribulation rapture is "Who will populate the earth if all Christians of the tribulation period are raptured?"  If Christians are raptured after the seventh trumpet or at the second coming of Christ who will be left?  The Bible is clear that all who take the mark will be judged and damned to the lake of fire (Revelation 14:9-11).  When the Christians are raptured we will receive glorified bodies and we will no longer have a body made for reproduction.  On top of that, we are promised that we will reign with the Lord.  In fact, each Christian will be given cities to reign over.  If that is the case, who will be our subjects or citizens of our cities for which we will reign over?

What Will The Rapture Be Like?

One question I never get, and I’m a little shocked, is “What will the rapture be like?”   If we look at I Thessalonians 4:13-17 this is what we find: 

[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

I Corinthians 15:52 also says that the rapture will take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”.  Whatever happens it’s going to be quick.  It will be so fast that if you blink you'll be in the presence of the Lord.    

Some believe that when the trump of God sounds the world will hear nothing but thunder and lightning.  They will think they are in the middle of a violent thunder and lightning storm.  We as Christians will hear it as it really is and be caught up to be with the Lord.  I look for that day, as we see the time drawing near. 

Last Great Revival Before The Rapture 

But before that happens many believe that there will be a great revival.   Most get this from Acts 2:17: 

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” 

That would be nice if it happened, but I don’t see this taking place before the tribulation period.  There will be a great revival during the tribulation period where many will come to know the Lord in a very short amount of time (Revelation 7:9-14) but it will be under great tribulation.  There will also be an even greater revival during the millennial reign of Christ (Hebrews 8:8-12).   

But by the start of the tribulation period Christ will be completely absent from the organized church.  This will be part of satan’s plan to introduce a new Christ…antichrist.   But God will counter his plan by filling with the Holy Spirit 144.000 witnesses to preach the Gospel.  Their only purpose and mission on earth will be to lead as many to Christ as possible and they will be sealed (protected by God) to do the job.  I believe this will be unexpected and very frustrating for satan.  Again, I don’t believe satan has been granted full knowledge of the events of the last days.  satan will try to wipe out this great revival through torture, mutilation and death but it will only spread further like a wild fire out of control. 

In the end, satan will only accomplish to separate true believer’s of God from his followers.   They will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming (II Thessalonians 2:8). 

Are you ready to meet the Lord?  If not, your time is running out!

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If you haven't had a chance to take a look at my book "Revelation Revealed", I encourage you to go to my website and explore what this book has to offer.  I believe it will give you a clear understanding of the end times and the order in which it may come.  Pick up a copy today for yourself or a loved one who does not know the Lord.  I know it will be a spiritual blessing to you and will help support this ministry.

Pastor Malone