The Rapture: Suggested Understandings for the Pretribulation Event -

According to a number of writers on the subject of the “Rapture,” speak of the assurance for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church

One of the first is the passage in Luke 17:26-27 that tells about NOAH’S DAY. Jesus said the last days will be like the days of Noah.

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26-27

Genesis 7:7 makes it very clear that they entered the boat to escape the flood—to escape the judgment.

Genesis 7:10 says they were on board for seven days before the waters of the floods came.

We are Hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger
The Old Testament witness of the rapture includes Isaiah 57:1, The righteous perishes (meaning take away, pull up in the original), and no man takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers the righteous is taken away from evil (the face of evil). Also, Zephaniah 2:5 Seek the Lord all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility, it may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.

Revelation 13 is after all the wrath begins on earth in Chapter 10-11-12
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.Revelation 13:6.

Note this guy says:

“Them that dwell in heaven” is the church—which is in heaven and not suffering through the tribulation. OK, I know that “them” could refer to any heavenly being, but couple this will all the other assurances; this just flows right along with the whole idea that the church will be caught away before the tribulation begins.

(*I think it is evident from the verse’s context, that it does refer to those in heaven (by then its the numberless multitude (you and me), the sealed 144,000, all the angels and beasts and elders.)

The Falling away of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 refers to the great falling away or disbelief not the rapture
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 has the words “falling away” which is the Greek word apostasia. The Amplified Bible indicates in a footnote that the possible rendering of the Greek apostasia is “departure of the Church.” There is an appointed time for the Antichrist to be revealed; it takes place immediately after the departure of the church. The church, not the Holy Spirit, is what is restraining the Antichrist from appearing. The Holy Spirit is not leaving–many will come to accept Christ

God reserves wrath for His enemies, not the church.
Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.
(*this is true. Read the actual account of Revelation below to see for yourself that we, the church are removed before the WRATH IS POURED OUT UPON THE EARTH, following the opening of the seventh seal.)

The rapture is the blessed hope for the church:
Titus 2:13-15 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you.

ENDING SEQUENCES WHERE GOD DEALS WITH JEWS OCCURS AFTER CHURCH IS REMOVED AND WRATH IS BEING POURED OUT
God cannot begin dealing with the Jews and finishing the last week of Daniel’s 70 weeks until the church age is finished. The church age will end with the rapture.

Daniel 9:24-27 (New Living Translation)

“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy. (* Look what we do when we appear in heaven in Revelation

I know, I know, if I say you are going through the opening of the seals, there’s going to be those who attack me.
I also know that if I say that we get to heaven “before” all these events, then others will be on my case.

I’m just bringing assurance and comfort to those of us who believe. He has not appointed us to wrath and that is what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:3-11.

For when they say, “Peace..Peace” Jesus indicates that the rapture is an escape from the things of the tribulation that are to befall the earth in Luke 21:28, 35, and 36.

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

There are several scriptures that provide assurance that the rapture will occur BEFORE the great and mighty Day of the LORD where “WRATH” is poured out upon the unbelieving world.

In Revelation 4:1, John is told to “come up here.” In this scripture, John is symbolizing the Church being called up before the action of the tribulation takes place. After his “rapture,” he is only an observer of the action on earth, and not a participant. However, that “come up here” is not the command for the church to come to heaven.

NOW, read carefully the full text of Revelation chapter 5-9. Notice the sequence of events outlined by BOLDED TEXT. I have outlined the 12 steps that occur in heaven to bring about the DAY OF THE LORD. NOTICE, as you read through these sequenced events, when you first read of the thousands of thousands entering heaven.

Revelation 5

STEP 1:
1And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

STEP 2:
7And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
[NOTICE: this is a prelude to what is going to happen as the seals are opened predicting that God is about to redeem us from the earth and it is also mentioned that we are redeemed by "thy blood!." Thus, the good news that blood bought Bible Believers will redeemed by God!]

10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
[NOTICE: he beheld "angels", "the beasts" and "the elders". No mention of the thousands of thousands about to appear in heaven, so the church is not in heave at this moment.]

12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

[NOTICE THIS PRAISE ENDS CHAPTER 5 and PRECEDES THE OPENING OF THE SEVEN SEALS. WHILE ALL CREATION PRAISES AND WORSHIPS JESUS AS THE LAMB WORTHY TO OPEN THE SEALS, we are at this point still on the earth.]

Now read Revelation 6:

STEP 3: SEAL 1: Nation conquering other nations

1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

STEP 4: SEAL 2: Peace taken from the Earth
3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

STEP 5: SEAL 3: Economic Woes
5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

STEP 6: SEAL 4: Death by the sword, hunger and famine
7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

STEP 7: SEAL 5: The dead in Christ – those slain for the Word of God.
9And 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:

10And 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?

11And 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.

[NOTICE: The saints mentioned in vs.9-11 are those who will remain "in their rest for a little while" not yet in heaven.]

STEP 7: Seal 6: earthquakes, darkening of the sun as in the case of vocanic ash or nuclear bombs or as vs 13 states, stars (many) falling from heaven to the earth

12And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
[NOTICE: all on earth are hiding themselves hiding in dens and rocks and caves of the mountains. One might imagine that the urban life we now live will be greatly distrupted by what happens during the opening of the seals on earth. No internet, no electricity, no telephone or cell phones. Every man for himself. Every family struggling to survive the great upheavel of the earth as the great day of God's wrath on earth is come.]

17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

NOW Read Revelation 7:

Revelation 7

STEP 8: BEFORE THE SEVENTH SEAL:

1And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

2And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

[NOTICE: the four angels are sent to seal the 144,000 from the tribes of the children of Isreal]
3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

[NOTICE: the next action occurs "after" the sealing of the 144,000 children of Isreal. This is where the church of Jesus Christ, the Blood bought appear in heaven.]

*****NOTICE HERE IS WHERE WE BEGIN TO APPEAR IN HEAVEN!**********

9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

14And 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.

15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

[NOTICE: Friend, we appear in heaven in an orderly sequence of events. God ordains Jesus to open the seven seals and as each one is opened events on earth begin the "tribulation events" on earth. But as we move into next chapter we see the real JUDGEMENT OF THE EARTH or the WRATH OF GOD being poured upon the earth "after" the numberless multitude and the sealed 144,000 are in heaven.]

NOW Read Revelation 8:

Revelation 8

STEP 9: SEAL 7: The silence in heaven before the wrath is poured upon the earth!

1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

5And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

6And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

STEP 9: ANGEL 1 SOUNDS THE TRUMPET: fire, hail burns 1/3 of all trees and all grass was burned
7The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

STEP 10: ANGEL 2 SOUNDS THE TRUMPET: great burning mountain cast into the sea; 1/3 of water turns to blood
8And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

9And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

STEP 11: ANGEL 3 SOUNDS THE TRUMPET: 1/3 of sea life and ships die
10And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

STEP 12: ANGEL 4 SOUNDS THE TRUMPET: 1/3 of sun and moon and stars smitten darkening the earth
12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

13And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Continue reading Revelation to learn more about the end of this earth as we know it.
But, as you see, no matter how many theologians wish to take verses out of context to suggest we miss all of these events, but a careful reading of the actual text of the Bible outlines a very orderly 12 step process through which the GREAT DAY OF THE LORD appears on this earth.

What is the message to the believer now on the earth?

1. REPENT
Where there is sin, deal with it by asking God’s forgiveness and washing your sin in the Blood of the lamb.

2. RECEIVE HIS FORGIVENESS
It is one thing to say you are sorry to God, but it is another to receive His forgiveness and turn away from your sin, you lusts, your failures and trust HIM alone to guide you to eternity.

3. TO GET READY FOR SOME ROUGH TIMES AHEAD
All signs point to the economic collapse of America.
All signs point to the growing hatred against Christians.
All signs point to the growing vitriol against Isreal.
All signs point to the coming new world order to be led by the anti-christ.
All signs point to the great falling away of the Christian faith.

Thus, if we are about to go into rough times,
what are you to do.

a. BE PREPARED
If the Bible scholars are right and the period of this hell on earth as the seals are opened is about 3 1//2 years, then plan ahead to become self-sufficient.
– Go solar or wind to get your power off this fragile grid.
– Dig a well or get cleansing filters to allow you to collect rain into a rain barrel to get your drinking water.
– Plant non-hybrid seeds so that year to year you can have a good crop of essential vegatables.
– Start growing fruit trees now so that in a few years they will be fruitful and yield apples or oranges or lemons.
– While supplies last, get some great prepared freeze-dried foods to give you a 1 – 3 years of survival no matter what comes.
– Get yourself the basic survival gear of a burner that will work in snow or heat without the need for charoal or gas or propane that may not readily be available.

Remember, NOAH, heard from God, built his boat seven years before it rained. He prepared his family and the animals as God had directed him. Preparation is key. The man who plans to survive, survives.

b. BE PRAYING
The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Pray for others who need to be saved. Intercede for our leaders. Pray for healing as needed. Pray and worship Jesus without ceasing – in all things good and bad.

c. STAY CONNECTED:
It will become ever-increasingly important for believers to bind their hearts together with other believers as these events continue to unfold. We need one another to survive. It is time to tear down our comfort zones and become little communities of believers loving one another, helping one another, encouraging one another in the faith.

d. LOOK UP: YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NIGH