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M A G A Z I N E“WRITE IT DOWN. MAKE IT PLAIN, SO THAT OTHERS CAN READ IT AND RUN WITH IT” HAB 2:2

A PRE TRIB RAPTURE

IS IT IN

THE BIBLE?

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Typical Opinions Posed By Pre Trib Believers Examined

• A difference between ‘meeting in the air’ and coming with the Saints

• It could happen at any time

• You cannot work out the date

• They will be saying ‘peace and safety’

• Life will be normal

• A Pre trib Rapture is the best explanation for Dan 9:27

• A Pre trib Rapture is the best explanation for the Saints being resurrected after Christ returns

• The Rapture is the ‘blesed hope of the Church’

• When you see the signs ‘look up’

• The Great Tribulation is God’s wrath

• Previous examples of a Rapture

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Copyright: Michael Storey

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www.readandrun.co.ukThe most comprehensive coverage of scriptures for the Return of Christ

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A message from the author

Many are the opinions on the Return of Christ. Some believe that it has already taken place (Preterists). That is a small yet ‘enthusiastic’ group with a growing influence in academic circles. There is a large middle ground that does not see the need for any concern about a potentially ‘near’ Return.

The most vocal Christian group are those that believe in a pre tribulation ‘rapture’. 20 million of them in America alone.

My own personal feelings are that whichever group you wish to single out, none of them have any real comprehension of the magnitude of events that will take place.

Understanding what is going to happen and why and from that – what does God expect from us – is the really important issue.

Facts are all important at this stage, before it takes place.

How does the theory of a Pre Trib Rapture stand up to a biblical test?

Michael Storey.

March 2011

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Is A Pre Trib Rapture In The Bible ?Comments by Michael Storey on a typical Pre Trib Rapture premise.Michael is the author of the web site:

http://www.readandrun.co.uk

If there are sharply differing opinions where and how do those opinions originate?

• Is scripture quoted or are the guidelines: ‘they’, ‘most people’, ‘I think’, ‘popular view’, ‘Mr Such and Such says’, ‘…in their book’. These indicate no real understanding of the subject and in reality are no more than guesswork being compounded from person to person. Are non-scriptural sources necessary to hold their idea together?

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isa 8:20

• When a scripture is used is it followed through with others showing a clear direction leading to a biblical conclusion? It is very easy to make the bible say whatever you want with just one line in isolation.

• Taken as a whole does their presentation have self contained contradictions? The whole basis of courtroom procedure is to let people ‘testify’. Somewhere along the way if what is

being said is not correct it will trip over itself. If what is said are the true facts, it will uphold everything else and be upheld by everything else.

• Einstein said ‘if you understand something well enough you can explain it very simply’. How complicated is the presentation?

• One subject i.e. ‘the rapture’ cannot be studied and understood in isolation. Without an accurate schedule of all events no sense can be gained from having the individual pieces. It is like watching a play with all the scenes in the wrong order. It would be chaotic.A timeline is essential: What is the starting event? How will you know when it is the Day of the Lord with absolutely no way of knowing when it will start? ‘I beseech you’ Paul says, ‘whatever else you may think, do not get this particular point wrong, it is critical’.

The source material is not named since this is not an issue between personalities, just an exercise at making sense of the Return of Christ. All numbered sections in bold type are suppositions from the ‘source’.

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1. “There is clearly a difference between the meeting in the air for the saints and the coming of the Lord to the earth with the saints. 1 Thess 4.13-5.11 as opposed to Zech 14.5, Jude 14, Revelation 19.14.”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. 1 Thess 4:13

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thess 5:1

And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. 6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. Zech 14:5

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints. Jude 14

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev 19:14

My question: where is the ‘clear’ difference? Yes, there is a period of time between the resurrection taking place and Christ coming back with those same Saints at Armageddon. Any ‘difference’ is not explained. A closer look at the verses says nothing more than a consistent statement that the Saints come with Christ at Armageddon. Paul’s reference to the ‘Day of the Lord coming as a thief’ has no relevance to this particular issue of a ‘difference’. All it is pointing out is that the ‘End Time’ will start with no introduction, but as to the following events they will understand what is about to happen and will not be overtaken by ‘the sudden destruction’ which will come on those that say ‘peace and safety’. That is a different subject we will come to.

‘will God bring with him’ 1 Thess 4:13

‘and all the saints with thee’ Zech 14

‘the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses’ Rev 19:14 i.e. with Him. The Saints in verse 8 are the ‘bride’ wearing the white linen etc.

‘Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints’ Jude 14. The Saints come with Him.

None of these verses indicate anything other than a resurrection at some point and that those resurrected return with Christ at Armageddon.Where do other ideas come from? Basically it originates from ‘It is like watching a play with

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all the scenes in the wrong order. It would be chaotic’. A misshapen landscape emerges without the benefit of the correct order of events.In addition non biblical sources play a part in the source analysis:

“However there is evidence of an understanding of the coming of the Lord in two stages in the early church. The writer Ephraem the Syrian was a major theologian of the early Byzantine Church, who lived from 306 to 373.

“And there will be a great tribulation, as there has not been since people began to be on the earth … and no one is able to sell or buy of the grain of the harvest, unless he is the one who has the serpentine sign on the forehead or the hand. And when the three and a half years have been completed, the time of the Antichrist, through which he will have seduced the world, after the resurrection of the two prophets, in the hour which the world does not know and on the day which the enemy or the son of perdition does not know, will come the sign of the Son of Man, and coming forward the Lord shall appear with great power and much majesty, with the sign of salvation going before him, and also even with all the powers of the heavens with the whole chorus of the saints.So the teaching that the second coming is in two stages was not unknown to the early church.”

Once again I cannot find material that indicates ‘clearly’ anything that shows an early ‘rapture’ and a second resurrection at Armageddon. What Ephraem clearly states is the resurrection is before the great tribulation, which is just before the last three and a half years.

The source adds a further statement:“Ephraem’s text shows a literal method of interpreting scripture and teaches the pre-millennial return of Christ. It reveals a clear statement about the Lord returning before the tribulation to take his elect saints home to be with him to escape the coming tribulation.” ‘For all the saints and elect of God are gathered prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins’.”

There is a contradiction here. If all the saints and elect are gathered before the great tribulation then all that are to be resurrected have been so, before the great tribulation. That leaves no room for a ‘two stages’ second resurrection at Armageddon.

However, I personally would consider Ephraem the Syrian’s text as ‘inadmissible court evidence’. Stick to the bible.

The compounding effect of something non biblical in the first place, and second not making clear the point originally proposed, complete with self contained contradictions, is then used to jump to a ‘conclusion’:

“So the teaching that the second coming is in two stages was not unknown to the early church”.

There is no such teaching demonstrated that I can see, what it does show is that the early Church understood there is one resurrection just before the great tribulation.

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2. A number of scriptures give the expectation that the coming of the Lord for the church could happen at any time therefore believers should be in a continual state of readiness for this. 1 Cor 1.7, 16.22, 1 Thess 1.10, 4.13-5.11, Titus 2.13, Heb 9.28, James 5.8, 1 Pet 1.13, Jude 21, Rev 3.11, 22.7,12,17,20. If the Mark of the Beast system has to be in place before this event can take place then clearly the Lord cannot come at any time as the 666 is not in place.So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 1:7

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 1Cor 16:22

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thess 1:10

But I would not have you to be ignorant, breth-ren, 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. 1 Thess 4:13

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thess 5:11

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:13

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb 9:28

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James 5:8

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 1 Peter 1:13

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 21

Once again, when closely reading the particular scriptures mentioned, where is there any hard and fast statement that the Lord could come at any time? The Lord is going to come, that is clear. Technically, every day that passes puts us one more day in the position of being closer to ‘the Lord draweth nigh’. Of itself these verses say no more or less than that.

The second part of the source material statement concerns “if the mark of the Beast system has to be in place”. Let’s look at that statement which is 2 Thess 2:1

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for

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that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be re-vealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

This passage could not be clearer, nor could the advice be any stronger. It should answer all queries on this matter. To disregard such a clear statement is really inviting trouble, which is the point Paul is making about people trying to say something different.

1) We beseech you. All those speaking on God’s behalf should be solid in this.

2) Beseech. Under no circumstances ignore this.

3) Concerning the coming of Christ. This is about the coming of Christ

4) And our gathering to Him. This is about the resurrection, singular.

5) Be not soon shaken in mind. Don’t be overly concerned about ‘that day’.

6) Let no man deceive you by any means. Don’t let anyone say anything different, do not believe...

7) For that day shall not come, except… The resurrection will not take place until…

8) There come a falling away first. There will be a large falling away of Christians before-hand.

9) And that man of sin be revealed.. shewing himself that he is God. No confusion about this.

10) When I was yet with you, I told you these things? This is what Paul taught.

These words from God are clear and to the point. (All scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim 3:16). The last point shows that this was the standard teaching in the Church.

In light of these very clear verses (explaining

what was being taught at the time) no one who was a legitimate Church member at the time would have thought otherwise. Since the other verses quoted do not say Christ is going to come ‘at any time’ only that Christ is coming sometime in the future, anything else would be a clear contradiction to the bible. Since God is not the author of confusion this is not possible. The confusion must be with those teaching something different.

If we analyse the question ( or statement as I perceive it) a little more closely we should note a presumption has been inserted as fact. ‘A number of scriptures give the expectation’ i.e. this is saying ‘it appears that’ the bible says Christ could come at any time… this is not shown to be the case, yet the response is based on it being fact: ‘therefore believers should be in a continual state of readiness for this’.In the further development of the case for a pre (seven years) tribulation rapture the theory will be shown to have jumped to fact.

(But) ‘If the Mark of the Beast system has to be in place…then clearly..’The concluding fact presented says: then the idea of ‘coming at any time’ could not be correct. This is the point the bible i.e. God, is stating in no uncertain terms and Paul adds ‘we should understand this perfectly’.

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3. Jesus said you cannot work out the date of his coming, but if see the 666 system in place you should be able to work out that there are 42 months to go before the coming of the Lord.Is there a contradiction taking place? Paul says one thing; Christ says another. Which one are you going to believe? The question is inappropriate since both say exactly the same thing when the scripture is fully understood. (Anything else would make a mockery of God’s word).

We will examine both these statements (both presented as fact) that it is ‘not possible to work out a date for His coming’ quote Christ, against Paul’s quote that you will get ‘three and a half years warning’ therefore you will know the date three and a half years in advance for sure.

Better still, to get to the nitty-gritty we will look at all the scriptures on this subject.

• Matt 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Matt 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come… 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Matt 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation

shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Matt 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of. Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Matt 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you…13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the

goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.Point: Absolutely no warning.

• 1 Thess 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Rev 3:3 If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.Point: Absolutely no warning.

• Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.Point: Absolutely no warning.

1) There is hardly another issue in the New Testament that is being impressed on us via the use of repetition to this degree. Something very important is on God’s mind. Knowing the sort of ideas that would emerge in the future, He has pre-empted future blind alley’s of theology with a means to settle the exact meaning of certain scriptures.

For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Isa 46:9

2) Nowhere in all these scriptures does it mention ‘you will not know the date’. It may seem a subtle difference but what is being said is that when the event comes (date immaterial) it will not have any sign whatsoever to warn that it is about to occur. It will be a

total and complete surprise. That is a very different emphasis and a critical one because it answers (settles) so many other questions. (Which we will come to.)

The big question now is what is the event being referred to?Here are some of the relevant phrases:

‘the coming of the Son of man’‘ye know not what hour your Lord doth come’‘the Son of man cometh’‘lord of that servant shall come’‘ye know not when the master of the house cometh’‘the Son of man cometh’‘the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night’.‘in the day when the Son of man is revealed’‘the Son of man cometh’‘The lord of that servant will come in a day’‘Behold, I come as a thief’‘I will come upon thee’

Paul strenuously admonishes us, and we should ‘understand this perfectly’, it is the day of the Lord that comes as a ‘thief in the night’.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Christ refers to this event as ‘when He is revealed’, ‘the coming of the son of Man’, ‘when the Son of Man comes’. Nothing at all in all or any of these verses says anything specific or non specific about a resurrection in connection with this coming.

One thing is made abundantly clear; no one will know beforehand when this ‘revealing’, ‘coming’, ‘day of the Lord’, what ever it is, will proceed.

There will positively not be any indication at all that will give a clue it is about to take place.Obviously God considers this ‘no warning’ to be a vital piece of our toolkit.

What does Christ say specifically about the resurrection?

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And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. 19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. 24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Mark 13:10

These are the events that Christ says will occur before the resurrection:

1) The Gospel shall go to all nations. (A specific event. Rev 14:6).

2) You will be involved in a courtroom type scenario, i.e in some sort of tricky situation.

3) You shall be hated by everyone.

4) The ‘abomination’ will occur (halfway through the seven years). 5) In those days, after that tribulation, [the sixth seal will occur].

6) THEN when the whole world sees the Lamb on the throne during the sixth seal (see Rev 6:12 for exact correlation) His angels will gather the elect from the ‘four winds’.

That is when Christ says the resurrection occurs.

7) He adds: When you do see all these things then know the [resurrection is imminent].

Christ personally says, clearly, that we will know beforehand when the resurrection is about to take place.

Luke repeats the above (so there is no doubt about misprints in the bible etc). At the sixth seal the ‘redemption’ (resurrection) takes place.

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:25

Once again without any difficulty or unclear speech Christ says when you see these things (in advance) then know your [resurrection] is about to take place.

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Matthew repeats the process again, just so that it is beyond doubt and we don’t miss the point.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and 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. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mat 24:29

Immediately i.e. following straight on from the tribulation of those days – not the great tribulationThe [sixth seal] will occur (see Rev 6:12). The resurrection takes place when the whole world sees Christ on his throne and the trumpet is sounded. The seventh seal will follow which is the great tribulation. The seventh seal being the great tribulation is made clear – by Christ – from the previous verses starting in v15.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place…. then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.

The abomination of desolation takes place 42 months before ‘the end’ when Christ returns with the Saints at Armageddon.

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. Rev 13:5

This last forty two months is the great tribulation. The Beast commits the abomination when he arrives in Jerusalem (conquers) and declares himself God.

The Church is resurrected before the great tribulation (the seventh seal) but after the tribulation of those days (the first five seals).

Again in Matthew Christ says you will know about the resurrection before it occurs, ahead of time.

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Matt 24:33

These are the clear words of Christ and Paul’s words conform perfectly to Christ’s.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Paraphrasing what Paul is saying: ‘that day, the resurrection, will not take place until the falling away has occurred and the Beast emerges on the scene and advances to the stage of saying he is God’.

The Beast ‘continues’ for forty two months after the resurrection, therefore if he ‘continues’ afterwards, he was there beforehand. The saints are therefore around during the earlier days of the Beast.

THE BIG QUESTION NOW: WHAT IS BEING REFERRED TO – THAT WE WILL HAVE NO WARNING FOR?

Paul does give us the specific answer. Since Christ is categorical that we will see a lead up to the resurrection, for a purpose (that is a separate subject at this point), it should be clear that Christ is not referring to the resurrection itself but the overall day of the Lord.

Paul says: ‘The Day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night’. It is the beginning date for the seven years of the period known as the Day of the Lord that will start as the completely unknown factor. Once it does start, the very day it starts, we will know the Day of the Lord has begun.

As in the example of the ‘thief’, when you come back into your house and see the drawers opened and emptied on the floor and your valuables gone you know instantly, with

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a sickening feeling, the thief came.

Christ uses other terms. The day He is ‘revealed’. The day He ‘comes’ ‘when I come upon you’. This subject will be explained as we progress.

The remaining unanswered question that has been posed by Paul is the ‘falling away’. Once again here is an important part of the picture that needs to be understood. It will be explained as we continue.

4. Paul says people will be saying ‘Peace and safety’ at the time of the event described in 1 Thess 4.13-5.11, but at the second coming of Christ to the earth there will have been 7 years of tribulation with God’s wrath poured out and the armies of the world gathering for Armageddon. Who will be saying ‘peace and safety’ then?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. 1 Thess 4:13

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But

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let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 1 Thess 5:1

The question above states: ‘Paul says that they will be saying ‘peace and safety’ at the time of the event described in… which event are we discussing? When do they say ‘Peace and safety, and who says it, why and what happens next?

For a start, the first passage of scripture 1 Thess 4:13 is not related to or discussing the time and place where they say ‘peace and safety’. It is answering a question concerning what happens to those that have already died in past history. Those that are Christ’s, the ‘them and us’ Paul mentions in Heb 11:40, talking of all the faithful right back to Able, will be resurrected at the same time. Technically those that have already died will be first in order before those alive are ‘changed in the twinkling of an eye’.

The relevant passage is the 1 Thess 5 section. Here Paul is taking us right back to the beginning of the Day of the Lord. The very beginning when the ‘thief’ analogy applies. How does the Day of the Lord start?

The bible has already established that there will not be the slightest hint or clue to indicate it is about to start.

This drops a bombshell on the vast majority of ‘End Time’ theories. It means there cannot be a Temple being built. Sacrifices taking place. The Beast in existence or the mark of the Beast. All of these would be a surety for knowing the ‘end is nigh’. When Christ says at least fifteen times you will not know, He means you will NOT know.

Paul is not giving away how it does start, that is elsewhere in scripture. What he does say is that as a result of what happens the general reaction is for people to say ‘peace and safety’. Instead, the exact opposite happens, sudden destruction comes on those that said

‘peace and safety’. Obviously as people say ‘peace and safety’ which is then followed by destruction, something occurred to lull them into a false sense of security. This destruction is the hallmark of what will continue to happen right up until Christ arrives at Armageddon.

No one will say ‘peace and safety’ at any time once the Day of the Lord is underway.

What causes some people to say ‘peace and safety’? We need to look at the very start of the Day of the Lord and have some understanding of what unfolds.

The first seal of Revelation 6 is an obvious place to start. There is much discussion on who and what is the rider on the white horse?

And 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. Rev 6:2

The quickest way to solve this question is go straight to the biblical passage that expands it.Habakkuk is about the ‘End Time’. The context is clear in Habakkuk chapter 2.

Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Hab 2:2

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Hab 2:14

When we move on to chapter three in v 8 the person being described is Christ. He is being described setting out on a mission.

Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?

9 Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the

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deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. 11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. 12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. 13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah. Hab 3:8

On this mission we have Christ on a horse, His bow is ‘naked’ i.e. out of its sheath ready for action.The ‘action’ is relative to His ‘oaths to the tribes’, the promises made to the Twelve Tribes of Israel that are yet to be finalised. (Heb 8: a new covenant with Israel and Judah repeated in many other scriptures).

Christ is described as the ‘being’ that created the earth and He is about to ‘march through the land in indignation’. He will ‘thresh the heathen’. In particular He is now interested in ‘salvation with His anointed’. The wicked He will dispense with in no uncertain terms.

Now compare this with Rev14:6 and we have a complete picture.

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

This angel now warns that Christ has stepped back on the scene. The ‘hour of His judgment is now come’. The Rider on the white horse, Christ is going to take over the world. (Dan 2:44). He means business. (Why He ‘needs’ to take seven years is dealt with later).

The ‘hour of his judgement is come’ signifies the moment in time that The Day of the Lord suddenly starts. ‘The day the Lord cometh’. The ‘day He is revealed’ (the angel revealed His intentions and presence in world affaires). ‘The coming of the Son of man’. ‘The day of

the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night’. The day ‘I will come upon thee’ (the whole world).

The ‘gospel’ good news for some, not for others, is the ‘everlasting gospel of the Kingdom of God’. Christ is now going to rule the world. This message goes to ‘every kindred, nation and tongue across the world’. (See also Joel 2. Before the ‘day of the Lord’, all flesh shall dream dreams and see visions).

First the gospel goes to the entire world. In this ‘timeline’ in Rev 14 we can see what happens next.

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Rev 14:8

This next event is the worlds most powerful and richest nation suddenly facing a terrifying coup de grace. Babylon is finished. With its demise all the worlds financial and banking systems and stock markets collapse. One day the world was normal, next it was not.

The next event now brings the Beast into the picture for the first time. As a result of the worlds sudden financial dislocation he comes into power in the vacuum. The angel’s message warns at this stage, and warnings are always in advance, that no one must worship the Beast or take his mark, which would be emerging soon.

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the LambRev 14:9

The fourth angel is a ‘reaping’. Since this reaping has no adverse comments where as the second reaping does, this first one would have to represent the resurrection.

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the

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time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Rev 14:15

Lastly the fifth angel also reaps a harvest, this one would represent Armageddon.

And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Rev 14:18

We will piece this together to determine how the ‘peace and safety’ fits in. It should be evident that Revelation 14 is a timeline. There are several scattered in the New Testament. All of them agree with each other and each fills in a little extra detail.

The ‘End Time’ day of the Lord begins with the gospel going to the entire world. Once again this conforms to what Christ said, ‘And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come’. Matthew 25 loosely describes what happens.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Matt 25:5

Until Christ makes a move the Church ‘slept’, on the surface nothing was happening, time moved on. Once the cry went up the ‘Lord cometh’ everyone woke up and bustled about their business.

When the gospel goes to every single person in the world simultaneously the world will be astonished. Everyone will sit up. To Christians however, it very clearly means one thing; Christ is on His way, ‘we had better get ready

to meet him’.

Before going further we need to establish the full meaning of ‘safety’. The Greek word used for ‘safety’ has a slightly different meaning to its conventional English counterpart.The Greek word for safety is asphaleian. It is only used twice in the NT. In both cases it refers to a situation being ‘fact’ or certainty.

That thou mightest know the certainty (asphaleian) of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. Luke 1:4

Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety (asphaleian). Acts 5:23

In Luke, he is telling Theophilus that the details being explained are indeed facts, a certainty.In the prison case, it was still locked up ‘as a fact’.

To use this particular Greek word in the ‘peace and safety’ context reinforces the notion that as a result of the gospel going to the entire world a degree of ‘fact’ has just been established. ‘Christ is real, this proves it and He is coming’.

Who would say ‘peace and safety’ after the gospel goes out that Christ is coming? Not Arab Muslims. Not Russian atheists. Not Chinese Buddhists. Not Indian Hindus. The only calls of elation will be from within some Christian circles. What does Christ say about those that celebrate the time of His return?

Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. 19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20 Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? Amos 5:18

The ‘sudden destruction’ is the fall of Babylon. The subject of the longest prophecy in the bible (where God places the most emphasis) should alert us to how important and far reaching this subject is. (Jer 50, 51.) It is beyond the scope of this article to detail who Babylon is, sufficient to say it is where a great proportion of God’s people are.

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And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Rev 18:4

There are twelve passages that cover the subject of coming out of Babylon. It is not an obscure matter.

If God’s people don’t come out in time they will be part of the sudden destruction that takes place in ‘one day’. Many do not. We could go a lot further than that and say virtually all will not. Once they have it in their mind that Christ is coming their thoughts go no further than the ‘rapture’ is bound to take place at any moment. Of course the resurrection is coming, but not until the Beast has entered the story and after a further period of time says he is God.Those that had expected an imminent conversion in the twinkling of an eye will be disappointed. Beyond that, not only did nothing happen, the worst possible scenario played out. Instead of the highest of hopes, in its place came national collapse, internal breakdown, invasion, defeat and captivity. Utterly despondent they ‘give up on Jesus’, they fall away, simply as a result of false expectation.

Given that the meaning of ‘safety’ has more to do with ‘fact’ another concept is now introduced. If it is ‘a proven fact’ that all that was ever said about Christ and His return is indeed true, then is that the time to get ready? Is it acceptable to Christ for people to do something about it then? The answer is of course – no.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6

It should be added that the context of this Hebrews verse is in a chapter about who is going to be resurrected.

This leads us into the next question concerning ‘one being taken and one being left’.

5. Jesus describes a time when life will be going on as normal with people doing things like buying and selling, building and planting, marrying and giving in marriage at the time when ‘one shall be taken and one shall be left’ (Luke 17.26-37) but at the end of the tribulation period life will be totally abnormal and only those who have the mark of the beast will be able to buy and sell.And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Luke 17:26

The only time during the seven years of the Day of the Lord when life is remotely normal is before the sudden destruction of Babylon.

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From then on it is world war on a massive scale with billions of people relentlessly dying until Christ returns to stop the fighting and from mankind entirely wiping himself out.This particular passage is emphasizing Day One as in the difference of one day in the cases of Noah and Lot. We have seen that scripturally the resurrection will not take place for three and a half years at the sixth seal. Therefore this is not referring to the resurrection. If a resurrection were the subject, there would be no need to forsake their belongings and no need to think about their personal safety those issues would be irrelevant.A solid clue to what is the subject of this ‘one shall be taken’ is in the middle of this passage.

Christ is about to explain something that takes place on Day One:

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

This is clearly about a decision that has to be made. If your decision is to try and save (physically) your life you will lose it. If your decision is to do what ever is necessary, even losing your life (obviously for Christ) – you will gain (eternal) life. The decision must be made quickly right there and then if not before.

Lots wife thought about the ‘world’. She was not prepared to give it up, she hesitated, that decision cost her dearly. Lot’s wife made a very costly mistake, which is what we are to remember. The warning is not to repeat that mistake.

With that in mind we will explore the Greek word for ‘Taken’.

Greek: Paralambano [Strong’s G3880] means “to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); receive, take unto, take with.”

A quick look through various commentaries will show there is no clear consensus on the meaning of this phrase. This indicates there is more to it than what meets the eye.

A sudden situation unfolds on the day ‘the Son of man is revealed’.A decision has to be made.When it occurs there will be an element of danger to be taken into consideration.Do not be concerned for your ‘stuff’ (worldly possessions or even your own life).Reflect on how Lot’s wife fell short of the standard.The end result is those ‘taken’ will be ‘associated’ somewhere.

‘In that day’ the day the Son is revealed (when it has become clear He is going to return) those that are ready (wise virgins) will know what is expected of them; there is a job to be done. The dangers that are ahead have been reflected on and accepted. Whoever is willing to risk their life will ‘not lose it’. Those who ‘look back’ hesitating, thinking twice, still wanting to hold onto the past, will lose their opportunity. The element of one person amongst two, or half is also closely related to the wise virgin parable. Half were ‘all set’ when the cry went up ‘the Lord cometh’.

All scriptures concerning the Saints in the end time show that wherever the beast is, that is where you will find the Saints. Wherever the Saints are throughout the world they will need to congregate together before the Beast arises to fulfil their role in warning in advance who the Beast is and how to avoid his deception and the fatal outcome of taking his ‘mark’. This will become a head on spiritual confrontation against an antichrist state. The danger involved is the basis for the warnings about seeking to save ones life:

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matt 10:38

At the close of the last question we asked the question ‘when it has become obvious that Christ is going to return, is that the time to get ready?’ The answer was no.

All the warnings to be ‘ready’ since ‘you will not know the day or hour’ are now applied. Only those that had proved their ‘faith’ before overwhelming evidence are chosen on day one to be eligible for the resurrection when

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it does take place in three and a half years time. It is not possible to ‘get ready’ from that moment on and be included in what Paul calls ‘the better’ resurrection.

Lets repeat that concept again so there is no doubt as to what is being explained. Once undeniable proof of Christ’s return is in place, it is too late to then say to God ‘OK, I will be good can I come too’.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matt 25:11

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. Matt 22:11

People that had committed to whatever Christ had in mind for them before the ‘overwhelming evidence’, we can safely describe as future Saints. They will have fully understood what was required of them and had made the decision to follow through with it. They are ‘taken’ ‘associated with’, ‘counted as’ part of a special group.

6. The pre trib rapture gives the best explanation for the gap between the end of the 69th week and the beginning of the 70th week in Daniel 9.24-27. There must be a gap because the 69th week ends before the crucifixion (Robert Anderson’s calculations put it as the Triumphal entry which makes a lot of sense theologically, but are not crucial to this argument). This is then followed by the fall of the Temple (40 years later) and a prolonged period of wars and desolations (contrary to Jewish hopes of peace following the coming of the Messiah). There is no way that the events of the fall of the Temple can be fitted into the 70th week period of Dan 9.27 as some affirm. Nor does this make any sense of Dan 9.24 as this whole period must bring about the sealing of OT messianic prophecy and the anointing of the Holy of Holies which will only take place at the 2nd coming of Messiah to the earth. The gap between the 69th and 70th week is occupied by the spirit filled church composed of Jews and Gentiles which is raptured prior to the events of Dan 9.27 when attention goes back to Israel as the vehicle of God’s purpose.

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Despite a complex presentation that would cause the average ‘believer’ to respond with a blank stare and bottom jaw needing adjustment, the intended meaning comes down to this:

‘The events of Dan 9:27 require a ‘rapture’ to have taken place beforehand, after which all focus for the next seven years will be on Israel’.

We will focus on Dan 9:27 and what it is all about. First, it should be noted that whereas the presentation that is set before us is trying to show a case for a ‘Rapture’ on day one of the seven years, in this section that ‘possibility’ has now jumped to fact.

“The gap between the 69th and 70th week is occupied by the spirit filled church composed of Jews and Gentiles which is raptured prior to the events of Dan 9.27 when attention goes back to Israel as the vehicle of God’s purpose”.

What are ‘the events of Dan 9:27’?

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Dan 9:27

According to a typical pro-rapture position, this is how this verse will be translated (quote source)

”Daniel prophesied that in the days immediately preceding the second coming there would arise from this kingdom (i.e. the Roman Empire), an entity which would be connected to it, but different from it (Daniel 7.24). Out of this would come a leader who is described as a little horn … speaking pompous words (Daniel 7.8), a stern faced king who understands sinister schemes (Daniel 8.23) and the prince who is to come (Daniel 9.26). This one will persecute the saints of the Most High (Daniel 7.25) and will also make some kind of covenant / treaty with many in Israel for one week (7 years), a covenant which he will break half way through (Daniel 9.27).

His identity is further revealed in the New Testament book of Revelation where he is called the beast who persecutes the saints and brings in the abomination of desolation (Daniel 11.31, Matthew 24.15-31, Revelation 13). The Revelation, written in the days of the persecution of Christianity by the Roman Empire (Daniels fourth beast), describes a future beast (the revived Roman Empire, the EU) whose leader will be given power by ten kings (Revelation 17.10-13). He will make use of a corrupt religious system known as Mystery Babylon to gain world power, but will end up double crossing this religious union and destroying it (Revelation 17.1-6, 16-18). His rule will be shattered by the Second Coming of Jesus in power and glory at the end of this age...”

The main points are: Ten kings will give power to a new leader known as the Beast. He will rule from Europe, controlling the world. At the commencement of the ‘last’ seven years he will make a treaty with many in Israel for that seven years. In the middle of that period he will renege on that agreement and commit the abomination of Desolation in Jerusalem. In a further forty two months Christ will end this system.

A more scholarly approach would be to examine the Hebrew text. Without bringing in a long dissertation on who the ‘he’ is, mentioned twice (‘he shall confirm the covenant’ and ‘he shall cause the sacrifice to cease’) and other issues of grammar, suffice to say that all admit in the end nothing can be absolutely confirmed one way or another as to who the ‘he’ is that ‘confirms the covenant’.

The two options are: 1) That it is the Beast that makes a treaty with Israel. 2) That it is a capital He and is Christ confirming his covenant already made in many places in scripture. It is one of those choices. Typical arguments are that of the six times in Daniel a covenant or treaty is mentioned, and the same word is used each time, it is always an agreement made by God. Hebrew grammar favors Christ but not conclusively.

How is this to be resolved?

It is very simple. Remember the ‘rapture’ position said that the ten kings gave their allegiance to the Beast who in turn creates a

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treaty with Israel. This ostensibly allows them to build a temple in Jerusalem where sacrifices are carried out. The treaty (protection) is needed to safeguard Israel from its Arab neighbors once Israel has the Temple Mount. Israel needs the protection of the Beast to survive.

There are two ways to resolve this issue, one of them given by Christ.

Both answers are dependant on timing. Timing is perhaps the most useful of all tools when it comes to resolving ‘End Time’ issues.

In this case Christ says at least fifteen times ‘ you will see nothing that will indicate the day of the Lord is about to occur. Right up until the day it happens. That utterly and completely excludes the beast and ten kings from the possibility of even being in existence. If the Beast makes a treaty for seven years, being in a position of signing a treaty, he would need to be powerful and well established, and very highly visible. Impossible, if you believe God. The Beast comes into existence as a result of the events that take place during the Day of the Lord. There are many ways of confirming that from scripture. Here is a different one to those already given (e.g. Rev 14 timeline). How long will the Beast power exert it influence, i.e. be around for? Daniel is instructed to write this down for our benefit. Two ‘saints’ are asking the same question regarding the Beast’s reign:

How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Dan 8:13

Later this figure is confirmed as being specifically 2300 mornings and evenings i.e. 24 hour days so as not to be confused with day for a year principles.

And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. Dan 8:26

2300 days is approximately six months short of the 2500 that make up 7 biblical years. That six months is when Babylon falls and the world heads into a tailspin over a total financial collapse.

There are other major events that make it impossible for a treaty to be made with Israel at this time. See: www.readandrun.co.uk/ Babylon The only option now for an accurate meaning of Dan 9:27 is that it is Christ being referred to as ‘confirming’ a covenant with many for the seven years. In the midst of the week, what happens? The resurrection takes place, which means the equivalent of any temple ritual in Daniels way of writing i.e. ‘sacrifice and oblation’ the Church hard at work and being persecuted by the beast stops. They are gone. At the end of the seven years the ‘desolator’, the beast, comes to his end at the hand of Christ.

Paraphrased, Dan 9:27 would run like this:

Then God shall confirm His covenant with His people to return and establish the Kingdom in seven years. After three and a half years the ‘work’ of the New Testament Church shall be over. The beast power shall take over Jerusalem and continue their actions of ‘abomination and desolation’ for another three and a half years, until Christ returns with His Saints. Then the punishment that has been determined for the beast and his followers shall be poured on them.

This is the NASB translation, not so different to my paraphrased version if you add He (capital H)

27 “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

The typical pre seven year tribulation ‘rapture’ theory has no foundation on which to continue.

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7. The pre trib rapture gives the best explanation of why the saints have to be resurrected after the return of the Lord to the earth in Rev 20.4. Since the Lord has returned with the saints (who have been through the marriage supper of the Lamb) why does he then need to resurrect the saints? Only logical explanation is that these were not saints at the time of the rapture but were converted afterwards and for the most part martyred during the tribulation and ‘held under the altar’ (Rev 6.9-11) and come out of the great tribulation (Rev 7.13-14). As they became saints during the tribulation they have a part in the first resurrection (of the saved) and not the second resurrection (of the damned) (Rev 20.6, 14).As usual, I never consider it wise to presume. I like to see the scriptures and determine exactly what they do say before drawing any conclusions.

The first question is where does it say there are any Saints resurrected when Christ comes at Armageddon? Rev 20:4 is the verse that is alleged to give this information. Also: “Only logical explanation is that” is not enough. It needs to be backed up with scripture.“As they became saints during the tribulation” is purely subjective at this stage.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Rev 20:4

All I can see is reference to those that are to reign with Christ as kings and priest for a thousand years. The fifth seal is the most difficult time encountered by the Saints. They will be resurrected at the sixth seal. Another resurrection will take place in a thousand years, at the end of the millennium. There is only one resurrection at this time; it is referred to as the resurrection of the ‘first fruits’ and the ‘better’ resurrection.Regarding Christ coming at Armageddon, this verse shows the Saints are with him when He comes. The same Saints that were at the wedding.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb…. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Rev 19:8

The Saints (everyone from Able, Abraham, Sarah, Rahab, Joshua, David, the Disciples, Paul, John and all faithful servants since

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then); have been with Christ for three and a half years preparing to rule in the Kingdom for the rest of eternity. Now they return with Christ to effectively start the Kingdom. Take careful note: once the resurrection has taken place at the sixth seal the ‘doors are firmly shut’ to any others, there is no possibility at this time of a ‘second wave’. This is Revelation 15. The seventh seal is about to unfold. This is the great tribulation period of three and a half years about to start. The Saints are on the Sea of Glass (God’s throne)

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of [the] saints. Rev 15:1

Next the seven angels depart with their vials and smoke fills the temple from the glory and power of God and the verse finishes with v8:

…and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

This will take us past Armageddon which is the last vial (the third woe) leaving no room at all for another resurrection, until the thousand years are finished. Lots more, billions more will become eternal beings at that time.

I have placed some brief notes re the queries for additional verses quoted.

And 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: 10 And 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? 11 And 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 fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Rev 6:9

• The fifth seal is prior to the resurrection which takes place next at the sixth seal. The persecution on the Church during the fifth seal is very heavy. Allegorically the question is being asked ‘how much longer do we have to keep going’? The answer should satisfy all questions about whether the Church comes under persecution during the Day of the Lord. ‘Keep going, you have certainly deserved your reward, but there are more yet to join the ranks I will need to fill the positions of Kings and Priests’.

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And 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. 15 Therefore 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. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For 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. Rev 7:13

• These are the ‘innumerable multitude’, ‘too many to count’. They are, as is clearly pointed out a different group, not the ‘first fruits’ the Bride of Christ. This ‘multitude’ of people were willing to die for Christ and [or] the word of God. That covers all of human history back to Able. The Bride of Christ rule with Christ , they do not serve Christ. That is the ‘mystery’ in Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

By comparison the innumerable multitude ‘serve before the throne’, under Christ in the Temple of God. These people are still (future) to be ‘lead to fountains of living water’. They

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are highly rewarded for their dedication to what truth they did know. After the ‘first fruits’ bride of Christ, this is the next highest order of beings for the eternal future.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev 20:4

• Once Christ returns and rules all the nations, ‘everyone from the least to the greatest will know the Lord’. All those that oppose Christ

when He returns are removed. The world is a perfect place for the next thousand years. Without another resurrection these people that will eventually reach billions again will have no future. Another group to consider are all those that lived before Christ’s time and never had the opportunity to know about God. This passage towards the end of Rev 20 is a brief answer to those questions. At the end of the thousand years the ‘earth is burned up’. Man’s duration of physical life is over. All of mankind that ever live is now resurrected, and judged ‘according to his works’. The vast majority will continue on as ‘spirit beings’ for eternity. Those that committed the equivalent to the ‘unpardonable sin’ are placed in the lake of fire. At this point everything to do with physical human existence is removed. No more ‘death’ no more ‘hell’. Mankind will now take up the future and purpose that has been the original intent all along. Coming to understand this future will be the feature of the millennium.

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. I Cor 15:44

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8. The rapture is the blessed hope of the church (Titus 2.13). If it only comes at the end of the tribulation it is not much of a hope as you are likely to be executed before it happens.Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:13

If I were to be ultra critical, I would say this sounds like the ‘rapture’ is being treated as an end in itself. Couple that with the obsession that God’s people ‘are not appointed to wrath’ meaning they will suffer no discomfort during the Day of the Lord and one could be forgiven for thinking the only desire is to save ones skin. What difference is there if you are executed? Just about every person in the bible that has served Christ has been ‘executed’. Whether they starved, had their heads chopped off or were sawn in half, that is the lot for God’s people and Christ makes no bones about it. Did they have the wrath of God on them? Christ makes a point of saying ‘if you are not willing to die for Me I don’t know you’! It is all or nothing.

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 and other verses.

The rapture as an end in itself is not the hope. Life does not stop when you become an eternal being. ‘I work and My Father works’. John 5:17 There is a lot more work to be done. That is why man was created; the Kingdom never ends. There is a purpose for becoming spirit beings. During the millennium mankind will find out what it is in detail. Virtually all of mankind is destined to have an eternal life in the Kingdom. The first resurrection determines who are the first fruits, the ‘first’ in position, the Kings and Priests of the Kingdom.

9. Jesus said when you see the signs of his return beginning to happen you should look up because redemption is drawing near, not when they are ending (Luke 21.28).And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28

Beginning or ending, we have a contradiction here. A pre (seven year) trib ‘rapture’ means you won’t know anything about it. If you are looking up because of events going on around you, you are within the timeframe of the Day of the Lord. Remember, 15 times no warning up to the last moment. If you are seeing anything, you are there in the thick of it.

Being a little more objective, the precise items referred to as being seen at the time the resurrection will take place are:

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass,

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then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. luke 21:20

These events are specifically the sixth seal (see Rev 6:12), three and a half years into the Day of he Lord. The resurrection is about to take place, consistent with every other scripture.

10. The tribulation, especially the final 3 ½ years, is the outpouring of God’s wrath, but Paul says God has not appointed us to wrath (1 Thess 5.9).For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 1 Thess 5:9

Full text: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 1 Thess 5:1

What this passage does say is that whether we wake or sleep, live or die (makes no difference) we shall be with him. However the resurrection does occur before the great tribulation (and after the tribulation of those days). Naturally if we have lived our lives according to God’s will we will not face the ‘wrath of God’ end time or no end time. What has that got to do with living or dying? Be it peacefully in bed or under a truck; virtually all of God’s people as recorded in the bible have died an uncomfortable death. None of them

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suffered God’s wrath.

The whole subject of God’s wrath needs to be expanded and here is not the appropriate place.

However a brief thought: why does Christ need seven years to complete the Day of the Lord? The answer is He doesn’t.

However mankind needs at least seven years to get the message that Christ means what He says. Christ is patient enough to give us seven years. The last three and a half is where it all comes to a conclusion and man is very stubborn. The followers of the Beast are gnawing their hands in pain rather than repent to God. God still does not want to lose them so steps up the pressure to give them another chance to decide. Some do, right at the very last moment.

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. Rev 16:10 (Fifth vial of the seventh seal)

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Rev 11:13 (Just before Armageddon)

11. Individuals being taken to be with the Lord supernaturally happened in the OT on two occasions (Enoch and Elijah). In both cases life continued on earth afterwards.Life will carry on for another thousand years after Christ has returned and thousands have been resurrected. What is the point?The bible does point out that Christ is the very first being to be resurrected. The first of the first fruits, the firstborn from the dead.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Coloss 1:13

Enoch and Elijah may have been ‘translated’ but verse 13 says we have as well. We are not resurrected yet.

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12. The hope of the Lord’s return is to purify ourselves (1 John 3.3). If Jesus can come at any time (only possible in the pre-trib position) you have a motivation to purify yourself (wanting to be doing his will and in a right relationship with him at the moment of his coming).Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:2

If you need motivation just because Christ may appear at any moment something is lacking. Once you realise you have been ‘bought’, lock, stock and barrel you have no choice in the matter. Whenever Christ should come (even if He was not to) it should make no difference.

Moses didn’t know about a ‘rapture’.

John the Baptist didn’t know about a ‘rapture’. That didn’t stop Christ from saying he was the ‘best’ [example] there was ‘born to women’.

“There are other reasons for this view, but all in all it is the one which makes most sense of all the scriptures. I have considered alternative views but find them lacking in consistency”. (source)

‘Makes most sense’ and ‘considered alternative views’ indicates no foundation or understanding of what God says. ‘My best guess’ is what is being said.

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This article will for many open up a whole new series of questions. Should it do so then the article has been a success.

For more information visit the website http://www.readandrun.co.uk

Michael Storey can be contacted at: readandrun@btinternet.com