For "Just the Facts" about what's wrong with the Rapture doctrine see my study Here. The present study looks at these points in more detail.
The Rapture Theories
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory
Some Nicene Christians believe the Rapture will occur just prior to the appearance of the Antichrist (the coming global despot). This theory is called the "Pre-Tribulation Rapture" because it maintains that the Seven Year Tribulation period will begin when the Antichrist is revealed and that immediately before his revelation (hence Pre-Tribulation) all "true Christians" will be taken up (raptured) bodily to heaven. This is currently the most popularly held view (due in part to the "Left Behind" series of fictional books and movies and others).
This view ignores several important points of scripture (especially the timing of the Seventh Trumpet and the fact that millions of Believers are to be martyred during the Tribulation period: More on this below).
The Mid-Tribulation Rapture Theory
Others believe the Rapture will occur at roughly the "Middle of the Week" (i.e. 3 1/2 years after the Tribulation period begins). This view theorizes that Rex Mundi will be revealed to the world, will rule for three and a half years, be assassinated and raised from the dead. Around this point they expect the "true believers" to be taken bodily up to heaven (even though no Scripture even implies this).
This view ignores several important points of scriptures (especially the timing of the Seventh Trumpet and the fact that millions of Believers are to be martyred during the second half of the Tribulation period: More on this below).
The Post-Tribulation Rapture Theory
Others believe that following the Battle of Armageddon (which occurs at the end of the Seven Year Tribulation) Y'shua will transport all "true Christians" to Heaven and destroy the earth completely.
Some who believe this version of the theory teach that after destroying the earth with fire God will recreate it and place the "true Christians" on the New Earth. This view ignores the prophecies regarding the thousand year Kingdom of Moshiach (more on this below).
Many Catholics believe this version and regard their denomination as the Kingdom of God. They hence believe the Kingdom of Messiah is already 2000 years old. This belief is based on Church tradition rather than on the Scriptures. Other Catholics believe the Catholic Church will finally lead the world into perfection and thus discount most of the biblical End Time prophecies.
Various Other Theories
Some sects, like the Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Family Radio (Harold Camping) and others have so thoroughly misinterpreted the biblical prophecies that they make no sense whatsoever outside their unique interpretations.
If There Is No Rapture...
Most Nicene Christians still believe the Nicolaitan heresy that they will spend eternity in Heaven among the clouds. The various Rapture theories are used to justify this unbiblical concept. When discussing the Rapture theories and what the Bible actually teaches therefore we need to understand that there are added concerns beyond the teaching itself.
If there is no Rapture, some suppose, it means they may not see their physically deceased loved ones again. This is not the case. As a Torah observant Jew of the P'rushim (Pharisees) Rebbe Y'shua is very clear that we will be united with our loved ones in the Kingdom. We must not fear the truth!
If there is no Rapture, some fear, then the teaching of instant re-location to Heaven upon death may in jeopardy. This is correct. The earth is our home not heaven. The Bible is clear that when we die physically we await the resurrection (or experience Gilgul Neshamot which is a topic for another time).
If there is no Rapture, some fear, then those alive in the End Times will enter into the Seven Year Tribulation Period, a horrifying prospect. This concern is warranted. Those alive when the Tribulation Period begins will enter into and will experience the fulfillment of the End of Days prophecies, many of which are horrifying. Forewarned is forearmed however. We need to understand what's coming.
What the Bible Teaches:
The clear teaching of the Torah and Rebbe Y'shua is that the Earth is our eternal home, our inheritance:
CJB: I Kings 8:51 for they [Israel] are your people, your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of the flames of the iron furnace.
52 "May your eyes be open to the plea of your servant and to the plea of your people Isra'el, so that you will hear them whenever they cry out to you.
53 For you made a distinction between them and all the peoples of the earth by making them your inheritance, as you said through Moshe your servant when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, Adonai ELOHIM."The significant thing about the Seven Year Tribulation is that it will forever answer Lucifer's challenge recorded in Books of Genesis and Job. Human history has been a sort of terrestrial court case. The Seven Year Tribulation will be the closing arguments, Armageddon will be the preliminary judgment. Then there will be a Thousand Year Kingdom (ruled over by Y'shua HaMoshiach), followed by a final appeal by Lucifer and HaShem's determination will be delivered (in the form of the War of Gog and Magog).
Following that, this matter will be settled for all times:
CJB: Zechariah 14:8 On that day, fresh water will flow out from Yerushalayim, half toward the eastern sea and half toward the western sea, both summer and winter.
9 Then ADONAI will be king over the whole world. On that day ADONAI will be the only one, and his name will be the only name.There will be a New Heavens and a New Earth. It will be established at the conclusion of the Thousand Year Kingdom:
KJV: Revelation 21:1 And I [John] saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.It is biblically accurate to say that the souls of the Tribulation Period martyrs will abide in Heaven as they await the conclusion of the final seven years (Revelation 6:9,10) however they are clearly an exception. They are there as witnesses to the righteousness of Moshiach's activities on the Earth during these seven years. The text specifically states how they came to be there and the duration of their stay.
The Book of the Revelation of Y'shua does not support the idea of a Rapture.
Matthew 24:
Let's look at Rebbe Y'shua's most famous prophecy, Matthew chapter 24.
The chapter begins with the Master telling his talmidim (students) that the Holy Jerusalem Temple (the Beit HaMikdash), the heart of Jewish religion, would be utterly destroyed! This was shocking news for people hoping that their Master was the Moshiach (Messiah) who would establish Israel's global reign!
The biblical role and function of the Messiah is to oversee the creation of a global Jewish Kingdom, but Prophet Y'shua tells them that dire days lie ahead for the Jews! They were shocked!
The disciples replied, ";...when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age?". A more accurate reading is as follows:
CJB: Matthew 24:3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the talmidim came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that you are coming, and that the 'Olam Hazeh' is ending?"Olam Hazeh references the present world system or order. The KJV uses the word "world" here. The Greek uses the word quot;aion" which means age. The meaning of this word is made clear by comparing Matthew 12:32:
CJB: Matthew 12:32 One can say something against the Son of Man and be forgiven; but whoever keeps on speaking against the Ruach HaKodesh [KJV: Holy Ghost] will never be forgiven, neither in the `Olam Hazeh [KJV: "neither in this world"] nor in the Olam Haba [the world to come].So the talmidim were not asking when the world is going to end (as certain of the modern heretics predict). They knew enough from the Tanakh prophets to understand that would not happen. They knew that the Olam Hazeh or present world order would be replaced by Moshiach in the Olam Haba or the world to come. That is the primary function of the Moshiach according to both the Tanakh and Judaism. The talmidim were asking when their Rebbe was going to accomplish this. The idea that they would be taken out of the world never even occurred to them!
They expected Y'shua HaMoshiach to purify the earth and to establish the Kingdom of God here. This is clear from the question itself.
Then in verse 4 (KJV) "Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you...."
For the next several verses Rebbe Y'shua reveals details indicating how those of that fateful generation would know when the time had come.
The Beit HaMikdash (Jerusalem Temple) was destroyed in 70 C.E. (about 40 years later as he foretold). The other events he speaks of would not happen until the End of the Age according to the context of the text. Rebbe Y'shua knew the signs but not when they would occur (Mark 13:32). That he could not tell them.
The Rebbe warned that many false prophets would arise claiming to be anointed by God ("christ" means anointed) and that they would deceive many people.
Next Y'shua arguably accurately foretells the two world wars:
7 For nation shall rise against nation [WW I], and kingdom against kingdom [WW II]: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.It is generally agreed that from 1914 (the onset of World War One) to the present has seen dramatic increases in the catastrophes he mentioned. I wont go into all the details or offer evidence here as these are secondary to the issue at hand: the alleged Rapture of the Church. The point is that in this prophecy Y'shua is telling the final generation what to expect so that we will stand firm.
In the following verses we read of the religious persecutions that have been so prominent against Jews and others since World War One and then, directly related to our present study, we have the following concise prophecy:
KJV: Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:Here Rebbe Y'shua goes from the general conditions to specific events:
The Abomination of Desolation
The "abomination of desolation spoken of by Prophet Daniel" is spoken of in the ninth chapter of his book where we read:
KJV: Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
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.First we note: "...When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation": This shows that "you" (i.e. the people of God) will still be present on the earth at the time the desecration occurs in order to witness it.
This is one of the solid pieces of evidence disqualifying the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory because this 'abomination' takes place three and half years into the reign of the Rex Mundi (as confirmed at I Thessalonians 6:5). The Believers will still be present on the Earth at this point.
Claiming to be Moshiach, the Antichrist will authorize the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple early in his reign as part of his treaty with Israel. He will break his accord and desecrate the newly built Beit HaMikdash 3 1/2 years later (i.e. 3 1/2 years after he signs his infamous peace treaty with Israel -- see I Thessalonians 5:3). He will commit the abomination of desolation foretold by Prophet Daniel. Adventists and others who say this abomination occurred in 70 CE have no biblical support for the notion and indeed John wrote the Revelation at least 20 years after the destruction of the Temple. Likewise those who claim the Temple will not be rebuilt are scripturally off the mark as Paul specifically says here that it will be standing in the End of Days and that the coming depot will profane it.
Just shy of 3 1/2 years after violating this treaty and desecrating the Temple the true Messiah will come to save the Jews from total genocide (Matthew 24:22: "if those days were no shortened" he says, i.e. they will be shortened).
Paul confirms that Moshiach will not come until after this desecration takes place:
KJV: II Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2:2 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.
2:3 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;
2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?Paul is clear here that Moshiach will not come before the Great Apostasy (Revelation 3:14-19) and the Abomination of Desolation is committed by the Man of Sin (i.e. his sitting in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God).
To answer this some claim there will be three comings of Y'shua, his birth, an invisible coming in the air and his physical return to the Earth, however this view also has no biblical support. Indeed Y'shua himself was clear that when he returns it will not be invisibly (Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7).
Some point to the following verse in Paul's previous letter to the Thessalonian Messianics hoping to support the Rapture theory:
KJV: I Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.However read the context carefully.
KJV: I Thessalonians 2:14 For ye [Gentile], brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: [or "by" the P'rushim: Pharisees and Tz'dukim: Sadducees who deny the Torah to the Goyim]
2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: [these leaders of people Israel who did these things, this does not refer to all the Jews]
2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.See this? Its clear when we read the context.
These P'rushim (Pharisees) and Tz'dukim (Sadducees) were forbidding Messianic Jews like Paul from reaching out to the Gentiles. They claimed the Goyim were destined for HaShem's wrath. They were teaching that only the Jews would escape God's judgment and that all others were destined to destruction so why, they argued, should the Goyim talmidim of Rebbe Y'shua (i.e. Messianic Jews) be allowed to be grafted in among the non-Messianic Jews as Paul and others were promoting?
Some Orthodox Jews still believe this way. There are Jews (mainly among the "Ultra Orthodox") who will give no quarter to anyone who was not born into an Orthodox Jewish family. They will not discuss Torah with them, they will not answer their questions, they will not shake their hands and as best they can they avoid the Goyim and converts to Judaism alike as though we had the plague! Some of these Jews will not even accept recognized rabbinic converts as "real Jews" nor those of the other non-Orthodox Jewish movements!
This is their problem: we authentic Messianic Jews still must accept the Orthodox as our elder brothers and pray for them despite their blind spots.
This is what Paul is speaking of here. He was Rebbe Y'shua's Emissary to the Goyim and he was affirming that HaShem accepts us whether these Jews do or not. We are not destined to the wrath of God regardless of what they say.
Rabbinical Judaism by and large today is clear (as is the Torah) that there have always been Ger Tzadikim or Righteous Gentiles who will be/are accepted by Adonai. Noahides (Gentile worshipers of HaShem) have always existed and been accepted by the Echad Elohiym (the One God) and by People Israel. Most Rabbinic Jews also acknowledge that Christians are worshiping the God of Israel, even though their worship is not considered pure. As authentic Messianic Jews we are seeking the Jewish Way taught by Rebbe Y'shua.
In context then, Paul's point here is that the Goyim (the Gentiles) who come to HaShem are not destined to the wrath to come and that they can be grafted in among the Jews through our Cohen Gadol (High Priest) Y'shua the Nazarene. Once they are grafted in they become authentic Messianic Jews.
Despite his clear teachings some of these Thessalonians did not understand (as some Christians do not understand today). This is why Paul penned his Second Letter to the Thessalonians in which he he wrote:
II Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?This second letter therefore clarifies the first (it teaches the same truths).
Again, this negates the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory.
According to the biblical prophets at the half way point of the Seven Year Tribulation period Rex Mundi (the Antichrist) will commit the "abomination of desolation" (as typified previously by Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian King for those familiar with his reign and his sacrificing of a pig in the Beit HaMikdash: circa 323 B.C.E. -- indeed the name Epiphanes means "Manifest God" and the Illustrious). Antiochus Epiphanes was a "type" or example/foreshadowing of the Rex Mundi who will arise at the End of Days.
From this we see clearly that the Believers will not be removed from the earth, at least not prior to this point (thus again, the Pre-Tribulation view can not possibly be correct). The Believers will be on the earth to both witness the desecration of the newly built Beit HaMikdash (Holy Jerusalem Temple) and to stand against the Beast who performs this abomination if they accept the holy calling of the Great Multitude and/or 144,000 Jews
We continue with Rebbe Y'shua's Matthew 24 prophecy:
21 For then [ie following this desecration foretold by Prophet Daniel] shall be great tribulation [hence while the entire seven years are called the "Tribulation Period" the second half is known as the "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: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened [ie to save the Jews, the Elect, the second half will be shortened somewhat from the 3 1/2 year destiny by HaShem's chosen king: Moshiach Y'shua].
23 Then [ie tote in the Greek meaning "at that time" i.e. at the half way point in the seven year Tribulation Period -- when the Antichrist declares himself to be God (compare II Thessalonians 2:4), is killed and then rises from the dead] if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not [in verse 5 the words, many will come saying, "I am Christ" means, "I am anointed or authorized by God" but here the claim is that, "I AM God incarnate." This claim is the essence of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel Prophet at Daniel chapter 9.
24 For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders [referenced at Revelation 13:4 and elsewhere of the Antichrist's works and those of his False Prophet (for more on this see my study on Babylon the Great]; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect [i.e. the Jews, who for the first three and half years will also be deceived by the Rex Mundi and accept him as Moshiach. When the Rex Mundi desecrates the new Temple and proclaims himself to be God however, someone, presumably a religious Jew, will assassinate him for this blasphemy and deception thining to end it... but the worst is yet to come!].
25 Behold, I have told you before.Next we are shown a preview of the Battle of Armageddon: "For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together." This is a reference to the earlier Hebrew Prophets who foretold this upcoming war. After the war is over Y'shua tells us, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days..." Moshiach will come. He will end the Great Tribulation with the Battle for Jerusalem (the staging area will be the Jezreel Valley and Tel Megiddo).
This is the essential time line given by Rebbe Y'shua. There is no Rapture mentioned in it.
After discussing post tribulation events, our Rebbe returns to the central question of this chapter, "When will these things be?":
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree [the fig tree is a common representation of Israel in the Bible]; 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 [i.e. the replanting and sprouting of Israel as a nation (1948/1967) as well as the earlier signs revealed], know that it [the end of the Olam Hazeh or age] is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation [ie the one that sees these things take place, i.e. our generation] shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.There is an important prophetic point here that is often missed. Please consider this:
KJV: Judges 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
9:9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
9:10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
9:11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
9:12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
9:13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
9:14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
9:15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.Many passages of Scripture have dual meanings. Here is an example.
The Kingdom was offered to the Olive Tree of Ephraim (the Ten Northern Houses of Israel -- currently "lost" -- but they refused it.
The Kingdom was offered to Fig Tree of Judah (the two Southern Houses of Israel -- currently known as the Jews or Judaites) -- but they refused to heed the call of Yochanan (John the Baptist) and Y'shua and so were not found worthy at that time.
The Kingdom was offered to the Vine (em>netzer) or Nazarenes (the talmidim of Y'shua the Nazarene: Isaiah 11:1, John 15-1-5) but they were not found worthy either.
Now to save the people, HaShem caused the Fig Tree of Judah again to put forth its leaves in 1948. This was a mighty sign that "that generation would not pass until all the prophecies are fulfilled" as Y'shua explained. In other words, Rebbe Y'shua is telling them that the generation that witnesses the rebirth of the Southern kingdom (modern Israel) would be the generation that would see the establishment of the Kingdom of God and the coming of Moshiach. Medīnat Yisrā'el was reborn May 14, 1948. This generation will not pass away according to Rebbe Y'shua.
For more on the timing of these events you may find my study, When will these things be? of some interest. Also see my A Time Line of Eretz Israel.
Had something as earth shaking as the near-instantaneous disappearance of millions (or perhaps even billions) of people been in the prophetic agenda surely Rebbe Y'shua would have included it here!
Other Misapplied Verses
Now we will consider some of the verses people use to support the Rapture theory. One is found in this same chapter of Matthew when Rebbe Y'shua says:
Matthew 24:38 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 [Noah] 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. [note that for this entire pre-flood period Noah was warning the people that God's judgment was soon approaching even as many people are today. They "knew not" because they chose not to know, not to accept his testimony. The word was given by the anointed prophet of HaShem.]
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.Does this "taking" refer to the Rapture? Clearly it does not.
In context what these verses say is clear. Y'shua had just told them (a few verses before):
Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains [to Petra according to other Prophets]:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: [it says the one on the roof would have that option, but that it will be best to simply flee to Petra rather than take the risk of going back into the house. In other words, when you hear that Rex Mundi has proclaimed his divinity in the Temple, FLEE! At the Rapture, as envisioned, there will be no option to return to your house. According to the theory all true Christians will simply and instantly vanish.]
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes [again, in the Rapture as taught this would not be an option].
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! [Why? In the Rapture, as envisioned, Christian moms and their pre-birth babies would both be Raptured away to safety. These verses make no sense if applied to the Rapture. They do make sense if applied to actual events wherein Torah observant Jews will be forced to flee for their lives, thus violating the Halakha imposed limitations on Shabbat travel].
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day [Again, the weather and day would not matter in the Rapture as conceived. Plus, the vast majority of Christians do not observe the biblical Sabbath anyway, they honor the day of the Sun God Sol Invictus worshiped by Constantine (for more on this see my study on the Origins of the Christians Faith. So again, the Rapture occurring on the Sabbath wouldn't matter to Christians. For more on this topic see my study on the rise of Babylon the Great].In context its clear. These verses (17-20 and 39-42) are not talking about a Rapture but about fleeing the globalist forces of the now developing world government once the abomination of desolation occurs. Rebbe Y'shua is giving a severe warning to those Jews living in Jerusalem to be ready to immediately flee the City (and elsewhere) because once the Rex Mundi is killed, ...then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Thanks to Y'shua HaMoshiach those days will be shortened so that a remnant of the Jewish people can survive and enter into the Kingdom! Thus will the Jews bless the earth.
These verses are clearly not talking about a Rapture of Gentile Christians when understood in context.
Some seek to establish a precedent for the Rapture in the case of Elijah. Let's read about his being taken to Heaven:
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.Likewise with Elijah:
II Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.In both of these cases the person taken was completely righteous. What does the Word say about the Christians of the Last Days?
Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:Where are the people like Enoch and Elijah today?
Certainly there are some very righteous and devout Believers on earth today, however remember that the Rapture doctrine states that all Believers are going to be taken, not just the very righteous. The example of these two holy men has nothing to do with this theory.
Likewise some people point to I Corinthians 15 as evidence for the Rapture. There we read:
I Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [be dead], but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?The Seventh Trumpet/Shofar
Critical to our understanding here is the timing of the sounding of the last trumpet or shofar. These verses certainly speak of a radical transformation, but it directly says this occurs as the final shofar is sounded. Understanding when this shofar is sounded will give us the prophetic time table.
In the Book of Revelation John discusses the sounding of these seven Shofarot or trumpets. The first six trumpets sound between John's accounting of Revelation 8:1 - 10:1. Note that all of these events occur after the Pre-Tribulation Rapture proponents say the Believers will have been taken.
We are looking here for the seventh trumpet for the timing of when this global transformation will take place. To understand it the earlier six trumpets are also important to understand.
As I so often point out we must be very careful about context when citing proof texts. Because I Corinthians 15 is so pivotal to the Rapture theories its vital to understand the biblical time line it presents for these events. So again:
I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound...According to the vision Rebbe Y'shua gave John the Revelator the symbolic sounding of the Seventh and final Shofar or trumpet includes the "Seven Bowls" that will be used to accomplish the cleansing of the Earth during the concluding half of the final seven years. These events therefore need to be addressed here. We read:
Revelation 15:1 I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished.Note that Y'shua HaMoshiach is giving signs with the revelation of these Bowls (the first bowl is poured out at Revelation 16:2). Once the final bowl is poured out upon the Earth the seventh shofar will be sounded.
The Seven Bowels:
The First Bowl of Wrath: Boils (compare Ex 9:8-12)
Revelation 16:2 The first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth, and it became an troublesome and grievous sore on the people who had the mark of the beast, and who worshiped his image.The Second Bowl of Wrath: Sea to Blood:
Revelation 16:3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man. Every living thing in the sea died.The Third Bowl of Wrath: Rivers to Blood (compare Ex 7:19-25)
Revelation 16:4 The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.
16:5 I heard the angel of the waters saying, "You are righteous O Lord, now as in the past, and undefiled by sin, because you have judged these things.
16:6 For they have shed the blood of the holy ones and the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve this."
16:7 I heard another near the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments."The Fourth Bowl of Wrath: Great Heat
Revelation 16:8 The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given to him to scorch men with fire.
16:9 People were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues. They didn't repent and give him glory.The Fifth Bowl of Wrath: Darkness (compare Ex. 10:21)
Revelation 16:10 The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was darkened. They gnawed their tongues because of the pain,
16:11 and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores. Still they didn't repent of their works.The Sixth Bowl of Wrath: The Euphrates Dried Up (compare Ex. 14:21-27)
Revelation 16:12 The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates. Its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings that come from the east.The Seventh Bowl of Wrath: Storms, Earthquakes, Hail
Revelation 16:17 The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came forth out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!"Shortly after the Seventh Bowl is poured out the Seventh Shofar or Trumpet will be sounded:
Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Anointed. He will reign forever and ever!"So then, prophetically the Seventh Trumpet will sound as Y'shua HaMoshiach takes his seat on the throne of David and the "The kingdom of the world becomes the Kingdom of HaShem, and of his Anointed, Y'shua the Moshiach.
In terms of timing then, this is when everything will be changed (I Corinthians 15:52). The moment King Y'shua takes his seat on David's throne.
Note that these sections of Revelation are written parenthetically. Once the Seventh trumpet is sounded the Thousand Year Kingdom begins. John therefore parenthetically goes into detail about the occurrences leading up to it.
For more on this we return to Rebbe Y'shua's teaching in Matthew 24:
Matthew 24:28 For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together [you will recall that this as a reference to the Battle of Armageddon].
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days [i.e. the battle concludes the Seven Year Tribulation Period, thus the timing of events offered by both Pre and Mid Tribulation Rapture proponents are shown to be incorrect] 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: [these are references to the events recorded as the Seventh Bowl as described above]
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 [the Moshiach will come and still there is no final trumpet!].
31 And he [Moshiach] shall send his angels [messengers and representatives] with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect [ie the Israelites: the Judaites and Benjamites (the "Jews"), the Ephraimites (the Ten Lost Houses of Israel] and the Goyim who embrace the Nazarene under the Noahide Covenant and those who have been grafted into the greater House of Israel (i.e. the Messianic Jewish converts)] from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. [as foretold in Zechariah 8:20-23]When will this historic gathering of People Israel in Jerusalem occur? At the "last trump," when Melech (King) Y'shua announces the establishment of the global Kingdom of HaShem and his ascendancy as Moshiach to the Throne of David. Then the Jews will all gather in Jerusalem in triumphant celebration. Then will the new theocratic government of Israel and the global Jewish priesthood be established. Then will all the nations of the Earth be blessed as originally intended by Adonai (Genesis 12:1-3) the Echad Elohiym (One God) of all the Earth.
During the thousand year reign of Y'shua HaMoshiach death will not occur ("Oh death where your sting!" Hosea 13:14, Isaiah 25:8; I Corinthians 15:55).
Again, there is no reference to the Rapture here in any of the prophetic material!
So then we wonder, since the prophets did not reference a Rapture, what is to become of the Nicene Church? What is to become of the sincere talmidim of Rebbe Y'shua?
I'm glad you asked!
But you may not like the answer!
To the Church of these Last Days Rebbe Y'shua warns:
Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:He calls them to repentance even as Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptist) and Rebbe Y'shua called for the Judaites to repent. Those who fail to heed this warning will be "vomited" out into the Seven Year Tribulation Period where they will become part of Babylon the Great (the coming globalist religion of the Rex Mundi)! These people will accept the Antichrist as their master and they will be destroyed along with him.
The call to repentance and authentic biblical religion is going forth even now! It will become ever clearer once the Rex Mundi is present on the Earth. To those who wish to know the blessings and service of God Y'shua says:
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Try your gold in the fire! What does this mean? This means our true wealth is in God alone. It means that everything we do and believe should be tried in the purifying fires of God's Word (His Torah: His Truth). Study the Scriptures, pray, seek God, question the doctrines you have been taught and confirm that they are harmonious with the Torah as presented by Cohen Gadol Y'shua and his emissaries. Adopt a life of holiness, abandon false doctrines and observances. Focus your mind on the things of God. If you will do this in love, then even as the Laodicean Church is "vomited out" into the Tribulation period you will be ready to heed the End Time call of Y'shua HaMoshiach and be accepted as part of the Great Gentile Multitude:
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
3:21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.What does this mean? This means that as we enter the Seven Year Tribulation period we are to stand firm in obedience to our King and abandon all false doctrines no matter how popular they may be! To do this we need to study the Bible, to immerse ourselves in its Truth.
Revelation 6:9 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:
6:10 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?
6:11 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.We must be ready to pay whatever price is required if we will follow our King into the coming battle. Some (comparatively few) will survive the Tribulation Period but the vast majority of humans (and animals) now alive will die regardless of their stand. This is clear from both the Light and Dark Prophecies. Physical survival and personal well being can not be a condition of our service. We must serve the King even to the death if we are so blessed.
May our attitude be:
CJB: Philippians 1:21 For to me, life is the Messiah, and death is gain.Get your heart, your consciousness, ready. We are going nowhere!
We have work to do!
The Rupture of the Church
Revelation 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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