7 PROOFS OF THE RAPTURE BEFORE THE TRIBULATION
Proof 1
In 2 Thess. 2:1-12 we have a clear proof that the church and O.T. saints will be raptured before the day of the Lord, that is before the second advent,(2nd coming), and before the Revelation of the Antichrist, before Daniel's 70th week, before the future tribulation, and before the last seven years of this age which ends with the second advent of Christ to the earth.
In 2 Thess. 2:1-4 Paul beseeches saints not to be deceived by any means or by anybody, as to the coming of the day of the Lord, or the second advent. The two things that were to precede the day of the Lord are:
1. "A great falling away" and
2. "That man of sin be revealed" (2 Thess. 2:3).
Besides these two things Paul revealed that a third great event would take place, this one to precede the day of the Lord or second advent, and also precede the revelation of the man of sin. He said, "he who now letteth [hinders] will let [hinder] until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed" (2 Thess. 2:7-8). Thus it is clear that the hinderer of lawlessness will be taken out of the way before the Antichrist can come. "Our gathering together unto him" of 2 Thess. 2:1 and the hinderer of lawlessness being "taken out of the way" of 2 Thess. 2:7-8 refer to the same event-the rapture of the church and O.T. saints before the Revelation of the Antichrist. And then-when he who hinders lawlessness is taken out of the way-shall that Wicked be revealed.
Proof 2
Another proof of the rapture of the church and O.T. saints before the tribulation is found in Rev. 1:19 and Rev 4:1. All the dead and living in Christ at this point in time will be raptured to meet the Lord in the air to be taken to heaven to live in mansions, in the Father's house with Christ eternally (John. 14:1-3; Lk. 21:34-36; 1 Cor. 15:23,51-56; Eph. 5:27; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 2:19-20; 1 Thess 3:13; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Thess 5:1-11,23; Jas. 5:7-8; Heb 11:10-16; Heb 12:22-23; Heb 13:14; Rev. 5:8-10; Rev 19:1-10).
Christ made it clear to John in t and Rev. 4:1 that all the details of every prophecy in Rev. 4:1 -Rev 22:21. This is confirmed without controversy in the three-fold division of the book of Revelation.
Proof 3
Another proof of a rapture of the church and O.T. saints before the tribulation lies in the literal fulfillment of Lk. 21:34-36. Christ personally promised all true believers who would meet the conditions that they would "escape all these things" and "stand before the son of man." The things that the "worthy" ones were to escape are those listed in Lk. 21:1-11,25-33; Mt. 24:1 -Mt 25:46; Mk. 13 and Rev. 4:1 - Rev 18:24. The only way they could do this would be to be raptured before these events took place. To escape means that they would not suffer or have to endure these things, and to stand before the Son of man means that they would be raptured bodily so as to be able to stand before Him in bodily presence. They will therefore literally rise "to meet him in the air" and be received by Christ to go up to heaven to live with Him (John. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:23,51-54; Eph. 5:27; Phil. 3:21; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 2:19-20; 1 Thess 3:13; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Thess 5:1-11,23; 2 Thess. 2:1,7-8; Jas. 5:7-8; 1 John. 2:28;1 John 3:1-3; Rev. 1:19; Rev 4:1; Rev 5:8-10; Rev 19:1-10).
The Greek word for "escape" in Lk. 21:36 is ekpheugo, meaning to flee out of the way (Acts 19:16); to get away (Acts 16:27); and to escape danger and even hell (Lk. 21:36; Rom.2:3; 2 Cor. 11:33; 1 Thess. 5:1-4; Heb. 2:3;Heb 12:25).
Proof 4
A proof of a rapture of the church and O.T. saints before the tribulation is found in Rev. 5:8-10. Here we have the raptured saints of all past ages up to this point already in heaven having been already redeemed and raptured to heaven. They are the "kings and priests" from "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" who will reign on the earth. They are in heaven at this point in the fulfillment of Rev. 4:1 - Rev 22:21, all of which must be fulfilled after the churches. The fact that they are here revealed as already having been redeemed and raptured cannot be denied. They are pre-tribulation saints and they are in heaven at the very beginning of the tribulation which starts in the first seal and continues throughout the entire seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven vials of Rev. 6:1 - Rev 16:21; Rev 18:1-24. The tribulation saints are those that are martyred in this 70th week of Daniel (Rev. 6:9-11; Rev 7:9-17; Rev 14:9-13; Rev 15:1-5; Rev 20:4-7; Dan. 7:21;Dan 9:27). There is a special song of redemption related to the pre-tribulation saints (Rev. 5:8-10) that is entirely different from the song sung 3 ½ years later by the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-5), and the one sung seven years later by the tribulation saints (Rev. 15:1-5).
Proof 5
In 1 Thess. 5:1-11 Paul makes it plain that the wrath of God that begins in the sixth seal of Rev. 6:12-17 in the first 3 ½ years of Daniel's 70th week is not "appointed" for the church, but for the ungodly world. He said, "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation [deliverance] by our Lord Jesus Christ," so that both the dead and the living in Christ can live together in the rapture (1 Thess. 5:9-11). In view of this deliverance for both the dead and the living in Christ at the rapture, we are to be comforted (1 Thess. 4:18;1 Thess 5:11). And, since this wrath begins in the first part or in the first 3 ½ years of Daniel's 70th week, at the point of the sixth seal, then the church will be raptured before that. Furthermore, since the raptured saints are seen in heaven-in Rev. 5:8-10-before the first seal begins, we must then conclude that the rapture takes place before any of the seals begin.
Proof 6
The enthroned elders of Rev. 4:4,10; Rev 5:5-8,11,14; Rev 7:11,13; Rev 11:16; Rev 14:3; and Rev 19:4 being seated on 24 thrones around the throne of God as representatives of the raptured saints of Rev. 5:8-10 is proof that they are not only redeemed, but that they are also raptured by this time, that is, before the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven vials begin. The fact that they are seen in heaven in Rev. 5 at a time before the rapture of the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-5) and before the rapture of the tribulation saints (Rev. 15:1-4) makes it clear that the enthroned elders are representatives of the church and O.T. saints, and not representatives of these other groups raptured later.
Proof 7
The fact that Rev. 1:1 - Rev 3:22 deals only with the church on earth, and Rev. 4- Rev 19 deals with Israel gives us another proof of a rapture of the church and O.T. saints before the tribulation. Every individual is identified and recognized by his own features and characteristics. Even so, in this case a body of individuals is identified by its many features, characteristics, and peculiarities. If the church is seen on earth and is being dealt with by God during the tribulation in chapters Rev 4- Rev 19 in the book of Revelation, then we must see its earmarks. But they are not to be found there. The terms "church" and "churches" are not found once in this part of the book of Revelation. On the other hand, there are evidences of Israel everywhere in this section. And this fact is most striking: Israel is not mentioned at all in Rev. 1:1 - Rev 3:22 which deals only with the church on earth. This fact shows that the two different institutions are dealt with in different parts of the book of Revelation: first, the church until its rapture in Rev. 1:1 - 3:22; then Israel after the rapture of the church, in Rev. 4:1 - Rev 22:5.
Rapture and Second Coming
Rapture ---- Jesus comes "FOR" the Church
Second Coming ---- Jesus comes "WITH" the Church
Greek: parousia (NT:3952), personal presence (note, Matthew 24:3). This refers to the rapture, not the second coming of Christ. It is the same as in 1 Thes. 3:13; 1 Thes. 4:13-17; 1 Thes. 5:8; 2 Thes. 2:7, note.
These two comings should not be confused. The scriptures that apply to one do not apply to the other. Not one passage refers to both events as if they were one. These two distinct comings are separated by several years, so they aren't two stages or phases of one coming.
The rapture is the first of the two comings, not a coming to earth but in the air. It could not be the second coming because Christ does not come to the earth to live here and fulfill a mission as He did at the first coming. When Christ meets the saints in the air He takes them back to heaven with Him and presents them before the Father's throne where they remain during the time the tribulation is running its course on the earth (1 Thes. 3:13; John 14:1-3). Christ does not remain in the air with the saints when they meet Him as in 1 Thes. 4:13-17. The marriage supper and the judgment of saints take place in heaven, then at the second coming after the tribulation Christ and the saints leave heaven together to come down to the earth (2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 19). The rapture is the time Christ comes for the saints to take them to heaven.
The second coming is the time He comes to the earth to live here and fulfil a mission. This is the time He comes from heaven with the saints, having raptured them at least seven years before. The second coming cannot take place until all of Rev. 1:1-19:21 is fulfilled while the rapture can take place any moment without anything being fulfilled.
Scriptures on the Rapture-Christ's Coming FOR the Saints:
1. Pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things ... and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:34).
2. In My Father's house are many mansions ... I go to prepare a place for you ... I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:1-3).
3. We shall not all sleep (die physically), but we shall all be changed. In a moment ... at the last trump ... the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we (the living) shall be changed ... put on immortality ... then ... death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:51-56).
4. Christ loved the church ... that He might present it to Himself (Ephes. 5:25-27).
5. From whence (heaven) also we look for ... Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body (Phil. 3:11,20-21; 2 Cor. 5:1-9).
6. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven ... the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air (note on earth, to go back to heaven with Him; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 1 Thes. 2:19; 1 Thes. 3:13; 1 Thes. 5:9,23).
7. We beseech you ... by our gathering together unto Him ... until he be taken out of the way (2 Thes. 2:1,7-8, notes).
8. When Christ ... shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:4; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:2; 1 Peter 5:4).
9. Be patient ... unto the coming of the Lord... until He receive the early and latter rain (James 5:7-8).
Scriptures on the Second Coming-Christ's Coming WITH the Saints:
1. One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages shall serve Him (Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:13-14; Daniel 18; Daniel 27).
2. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations ... His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which ... shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west ... the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with Thee (Zech.14:1-5,9,16-21).
3. Immediately after the tribulation ... then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-31).
4. When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory. And before Him shall be gathered all nations (Matthew 25:31-46).
5. When the Lord shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God (2 Thes. 1:7-10; 2 Thes. 2:8).
6. The Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all ... that are ungodly (Jude 1:14-15).
7. He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him ... all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him ... the armies of heaven followed Him upon white horses (Rev. 1:7. See 1 Thes. 19:11-21; 1 Thes. 20:1-3; Isaiah 63:1-6; Joel 3).
Rapture Takes Place in Revelation 4:1, Ten Proofs the
Ten Proofs the Rapture Takes Place in Revelation 4:1
Greek: meta (NT:3326) tauta (NT:5023), after these things (note, John 5:1). This Greek phrase is used at the beginning and at end of this verse thus: "After these things (after writing the things concerning the churches of Rev. 2-3), I looked ... a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice ... said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be after these things," that is, after the churches (Rev. 4:1). This confirms and settles the question as to the time of the fulfillment of all the events of Rev 4-22. They must be after these things of the churches, or after the rapture of the church. The church is no longer on earth when the events of Rev. 4-22 take place.
1. Christ said the things of Rev. 4-22 "must be hereafter," that is, after the churches, as proved above and also in note, Rev. 1:19. If this is true, then the church is raptured before these things of Rev. 4-22, and after the things of the churches of Rev. 2-3. If the things which are (Rev. 2-3) concern the church, then the "things which must be" after "the things which are" must concern events after the churches. The church must be here during the time of the fulfillment of the things concerning the churhes, and it must not be here during the fulfillment of the things after the churches. The church then is raptured in Rev. 4:1 between "the things which are" (Rev. 2-3) and "the things which must be hereafter," that is, after the churches (Rev. 4-22).
2. The word "church" is found 19 times in Rev. 1-3 but not once in the third division of the book which contains "the things which must be" after the churches (Rev. 4:1-22:5). The church is found again in the conclusion of the book (Rev. 22:6-21), but only after "the things which must be" are fully revealed. If the church were on earth during the fulfillment of Rev. 4-22 it certainly would be mentioned.
3. The enthroned elders are representative of the raptured saints and they are always seen in heaven after Rev. 4:1. See note, Rev. 4:4.
4. The 70th week of Daniel will be the last seven years of this age, during which time all of Rev. 4-19; Matthew 24-25 will be fulfilled. This week concerns Israel, not the church. Therefore, the church must be raptured before this week. See Rapture and Second Coming.
5. There is no place for the rapture of the church and the Old Testament saints other than in Rev. 4:1. The man-child and the great tribulation saints are the only ones to be saved and raptured during Daniel's 70th week, and these are distinct groups from the church and the Old Testament saints, as proved in notes on Rev. 4:4. Therefore, the church is either caught up in Rev. 4:1-after the churches of Rev. 2-3 and before the events coming after the churches of Rev. 4-22-or it is never mentioned in Revelation as to its rapture. If it were to be caught up anytime during this week, it surely would have been mentioned. The church could not be the man-child or the tribulation saints, as proved in notes on Rev. 7; Rev. 12; Rev. 14.
6. In Luke 21:34-36 we have the promise of Jesus that the saved will be accounted worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man. The things they will escape are those of Matthew 24:4-26; Luke 21:4-19 and Rev. 6-19.
7. In 1 Thes. 5:1-11 we have another definite promise assuring us that saints will escape the wrath of God (of Rev. 6-19). God has not appointed us to this wrath, but to obtain deliverance through Jesus Christ so we can live with Christ (1 Thes. 5:9-11). How could saints comfort one another (as stated in this scripture and in 1 Thes. 4:16-17; Titus 2:13) if the only hope they had was the coming wrath of God in the future tribulation?
8. In 2 Thes. 2:6-8 it is definitely shown that the rapture takes place before the revelation of the Antichrist and before the 70th week of Daniel. The events of Rev. 4-19 will take place during this week, so the rapture must take place in Rev. 4:1.
9. There is a marked change in God's attitude toward humanity in general, from that of mercy (Rev. 1-3) to that of judgment (Rev. 4-19). The seals, trumpets, and vials all picture judgment throughout Daniel's 70th week. If the church does not go through any of these things, as proved already, then the rapture must take place in Rev. 4:1.
10. An individual or a body of individuals can be identified by peculiarities and characteristics. If the church is to be on earth and is the subject of Rev. 4-19, then its earmarks should be seen. But such are not to be found. On the other hand, earmarks of Israel are seen throughout the book after Rev. 4:1. The earmarks of the church are seen up to this point only. This proves that two different institutions are dealt with in different parts of the book: first, the church until its rapture in Rev. 4:1; second, Israel after the rapture of the church to the second coming of Christ (Rev. 4-19).
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