ziggy88 Loc: quincy illinois 62301

Views on the Rapture
According to Bible experts we are entering a period of heightened excitement about the catching away or rapture if you will of the church. We are only four years away from Israel’s 70th birthday that some have remarked may be a time of testing and travail for the Jewish nation. Others point to the approach of the solar/lunar eclipse tribulation tetrads (the four blood moons & eclipse) on the Jewish festival days in 2014 & 2015.
Deadly Weapons Being Prepared
Others are pointing to a Middle East war as both sides load up with deadly weapons to launch with. Russia, the United States, Europe, and Islamic forces are rapidly building up an international siege as prophesied around Jerusalem. Read the ‘Psalms 83’ book by Bill Salus about the report of how nations in the Arab Middle East will start ganging up on the chosen people. There is to date much speculation about ‘times & seasons’ and there are a variety of conflicting views about the relationship between the rapture and the Tribulation. Our purpose here is to clarify the biblical typology that will reveal the nature of the long awaited event.
Bible Studies Show
In Bible studies of that great catching away future event called by Paul in Titus 2:13 as the “blessed hope” we search the Scriptures to obtain further insight. When we do we find that the rapture of the Church is far more than a simple escape from this war ravaged planet. It is a part of a much larger panorama. Its purpose is to participate in the restoration of God’s creation, long lost to sin.

Nothing New About the Concept
The biblical view of the rapture shows there is really nothing new or novel about the concept in being caught up to heaven. It is already happened several times and will inevitably happen again with a much larger portion being taken. Scripture shows at least seven of these catching away events to take place.


Day of Christ
When Paul referees to the ‘Day of Christ’ in Philippians and Thessalonians he is referring to an all-encompassing model change. The world for a few thousand years has progressed on a pretty much even keel will be suddenly propelled, or quickened if you will, into a rapid succession of massive geological, meteorological, political, and spiritual changes designed to fully restore the Kingdom to Israel, and environmental purity to the planet earth.
Scripture states that in one, future, electrifying event, a rapid sea of change comes across the whole land and sea.
The Body of Christ
Prior to the very first instant of this change, we believers, the body of Christ, will be taken from this earth, along with the saints from this earth in the grave of all ages, will be resurrected into glory to enjoy the Lord’s presence and to participate in the massive restoration event that the Bible calls, “The Day of the Lord.” It will bring not one but several catastrophic judgments to mankind and the world!
Following the Rapture
Make no mistake; the entire judgment process will be initiated following the rapture. From this perspective, the rapture cannot occur anytime during or after the catastrophes of the Tribulation. In point of fact, it must happen


before the Tribulation, well in advance of the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” It then follows that since the antichrist rides forth on one of these horses, his identity will not be revealed to the body of Christ.
Moment the Tribulation Begins
Scripture clearly reveals that the tribulation is not triggered by the rapture. Daniel writes, its beginning is marked at the precise moment that “the prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:26) confirms a seven year peace treaty with Israel. “27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shalt be poured upon the desolate.” (Dan9: 27)
From Ages Past
As predicted by ages past by the prophets of God, the Great Tribulation will be an enormous cleansing process directed by our Lord. Scripture clearly reveals its purpose:
First - It will destroy the world system of commerce and idolatry, seen in twofold form in the book of Revelation. As commercial and religious Babylon, it will meet its final end. The Gentile grip on political and financial power will come to an end, as Israel rises to receive the Kingdom of the Messiah.
Second – Israel will be forced to abandon its age’s long self-righteousness. Finally, the stiff necked nation will be brought to the realization that they have sinned and can be redeemed only through faith in the Lord. The prophet Ezekiel writes of their moment of truth during the Tribulation, “And I will bring you into the wilderness of people and there will I plead with you face to face. Like I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead with you, saith the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them out of the country where they sojourn and they shall enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezk. 20: 35-38)
Third – “And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel.” (Rev. 7:4)

Many sincere Bible-believing Christians would understand the 144,000 like this: The church is raptured prior to the great tribulation. During the time when the church is gone in the rapture, a remnant of 144,000 ethnic Jews is converted (12,000 X 12 from each tribe). These Israelites converts, in turn, evangelize the Gentiles who make up the great multitude in white robes. These 144,000 are sealed by God and cannot be harmed will then lead a world-shaking global revival, leading millions to salvation during the first half of the Great Tribulation.
Notice that as far as planet earth is concerned and its rule God chooses Israel to be at the center.
The Church
The body of Christ will not experience the cataclysams that accompany this period; it is to be spared from judgment. Some find this aspect of grace detestable, charaterising an escapist Church that flees the scene to let the rest of the world to suffer. But true Christians never wish God’s wrath upon the unsaved. They have been taught to love even those that curse them, and to share the Gospel with everyone they meet.
Paul Wrote
As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:9). Also the Lord’s words to the faithful Philadelphian church reinforces this thought: “Because though has kept the word of my patience, I will also keep them from the hour of my temtation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Rev. 3:10)
We must all come to the realization that Christ is coming soon in the 18 month window of the tribulation tetrad. We have but a short time to get ready, tell the world of the good news, and wait patiently for his glory. This is our commission, Lord may you come soon.

Hemiman Loc: Communist California

Crazy stuff.

jeff smith

that day is coming. the end times. but until that day arrives as I was told once," I will plant my garden and watch it grow and do my work, when my Lord comes He will come". until then thank the Lord and praise God, for all things received.

Oliver Loc: Dayton, OH

When you say that being "caught up to heaven" has already happened several times, are you referring to Enoch, Elijah, and Moses? Just wondering. Other than that, keep on keeping on for our soon returning Lord and Savior.

Clayton

ZIGGY88 "Views on Rapture"

Ziggy, I have heard views like yours on rapture for the past 30 years and nothing ever seems to happen. Don't you think it is time to give up this nonsense and get on with your life

rkevin Loc: florida

You must be about 35, Clayton. I believe I started to comprehend bigger things than my immediate surroundings at about 5. I wouldn't want to be you!!!

Clayton

The rapture is a myth. If you want to contemplate big things, contemplate how the universe was formed, how earth was formed and how the universe will end. Also contemplate evolution of the universe and the evolution of all life including man. Give up the mythology and think about science.

jeff smith

I would hate to be you in the end. science has already proven, you can not make something from nothing! but I do believe in the big bang theory. GOD, spoke and bang, it was there. He has created things to confound the searchers of intelligence. they think they know so much yet seem to always be changing their mind about so many things they say are true. why don't you open your eyes, ears and your heart to what can be learned from GODS words? but you think it's all a fairy tale, don't you? it's history and prophesy. not a fairy tale. Merry CHISTMAS to you and yours. hopefully a prosperous new year also.

Clayton

You may have missed Stephen Hawkins latest book in which he shifted from an earlier position that God could have created the universe to a position that the universe could have spontaneolusly created itself by via
Heisenberg's uncertainity principle. I am personal neutral at that point. The god I do not think exists is a god who listens to prayers and answers their prayers, heals,l or raises folks from the dead or sends them to heaven or hell for eternity.

mwdegutis Loc: Illinois

That's quite a paradox..."The god I do not think exists is a god who listens to prayers and answers their prayers, heals,l or raises folks from the dead or sends them to heaven or hell for eternity."

1776Nate

Bless you foe speaking the words of truth,especially to nonbelievers that scoff.I believe Jesus Christ over science.They used to think the Earth was flat too.Opps sorry we made a mistake.I'm not like those false teachers trying to put a date on it,because only God and Heaven knows the day and hour.The living word of God warns of a new World Order centuries ago.Guess what the vice president has went on and on about New World Order to military cadets.That's not a fairy tale,that is a known fact.George Bush has publicly admitted to wanting the U.N. To create a New World Order.That isn't a fairy tale,it's common knowledge.The United States is about to militarize the police force for martial law.The Bible told us about this centuries ago,now it is unfolding before our eyes.That's if our eyes are u blinded to see it.The world is so immoral,aborting babies after the head has formed,encouraging homosexuality.God said be fruitful and multiply,gays can't do that without having to adopt from straight people,or to unnaturally having a test tube child.We live beyond our means,such as credit enjoy now pay later.If a Christian wants to talk about his faith nobody wants to hear that.But if a gay,lesbian,transsexual,Muslim,atheist wishes to speak it's fine.Just suppress those darn Christians,they speak hate speech.The ten commandments say don't kill,steal,covet your neighbor's wife,etc.Sounds like good morals to me.So good those laws still are in existence today.My faith don't give me permission to kill others because they believe differently.It tells me to pray for them and show Gods love to them.There were witnesses to the FACT that those things happened the exact way it was told through the ages.Jesus showed them miracles and they still didn't believe,how sad!Blessed are those who Don't see but yet believe,that is faith,and ya can't please God without faith.If Christ showed them a miracle in front of them as PROOF they would still scoff and not believe.God please have mercy upon them,me,and all of humanity.Especially this generation I'm an ordained minister and so is my father and grandfather.Nate

1776Nate

Oh creation that gentleman thinks he's a monkey.I am made in the image of God not an animal.I wonder if those people who believe we came from monkeys ever feel bad for locking up monkeys in the zoo.After all they believe they may be future humans.Sounds like a science FICTION movie planet of the apes.I pray to our merciful God that these people don't take the United Nations mark of the Beast chip.If ya tell them the message of God and they don't listen leave that house and shake them as the dust from your sandles.Only the Holy Spirit and Jesus can u blind them from there.I enjoy knowing that the almighty creator loved me and came here to help all humanity.If we don't listen our freedom,liberty,and privacy will be gone in this country.Or is it to late?

jeff smith

the Bible is a history of life of the Jews. the Prophets spoke of things to come. it was many, many years before these prophecies became true. just because the end time prophecy has not happened as of yet does not mean it's not true. it was 6 days to create the universe and a day of rest. who is to say what one day to God is? one day as we know it could be a million years of our time to God. how many of our years does it take Jupiter or pluto to circle the sun? yet it is one revolution to that planet. so why think of time in a set perspective 148 of our hours, 6 days, is possibly less than a heart beat to God. in the end, might be thousands of years, to us, it is said that satan will deceive even some of the elect, of the churchs.

ziggy88 Loc: quincy illinois 62301

Yes I am referring to Enoch, Elijah and Moses. It is widely believed by the true Church that the two witnesses that walk the earth in the tribulation will be two of these three.