Biblical Facts Christians Should Know About the Gatherings or Raptures of the Dead

Introduction

“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.” I Thessalonians 4:13

I used to be a pretribulationist. Not because I had researched this and came to the belief that was the truth, but rather because those in spiritual leadership positions told me so. However, through my own reading and study of the scriptures, I was struck by certain passages that commanded my attention. These scriptures seemed to directly contradict the pretribulationist position. I started asking myself how Christ could come “any day” when Matthew 24 says he comes after the tribulation? I was puzzled also that John was stating in Rev. 20 that there was only one resurrection of the dead before the 1000 year reign of Christ, but church leaders and teachers said there were two. Where were they getting this information? And how about what Paul states in II Thessalonians 2:1-4 that the coming of our Lord and our gathering will not come unless the son of perdition (the Anti-Christ) sits in the temple proclaiming himself God? There are several other contradictions concerning scripture that you are about to discover with the pretribulationist viewpoint. My questions are designed to lead you through each scripture, and let scripture guide you to an understanding about who is raised at Christ’s return, the timing of Christ’s 1000 year earthly reign, and the resurrection and judgment on the last day.

So why does it matter? First, it matters because scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is designed to reveal God’s will and ways to us. If He inspired it, then we should try to understand it and receive it accordingly.

Secondly, it matters because once Christians understand the timing of Christ’s return and the resurrection, they need to start preparing themselves spiritually and possibly physically as more and more persecutions come our way. Christians need to learn the benefits of standing in the face of adversity, and keep in mind that obedience and perseverance through tribulation will have its own rewards.

I hope you will work through the following with an earnest desire for knowledge of the scriptures.

In His Love,

Howard Young

The last days according to Jesus

Based on your current knowledge and understanding, answer the following questions:

Who do you think the abomination of desolation refers to that Jesus is speaking of in Matthew 24:15? ________________________

When he arrives, the Bible says there will be great ________________, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, nor shall ever be.

Immediately after what event will the Son of man appear in heaven and return to earth?_______________________

On your time line, mark the place when Christ returns.

Now for a closer look at these questions:

Read Matthew 24:3-31

³ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

⁴ And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁵ “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ “All these are the beginning of sorrows.

⁹ “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. ¹⁰ “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. ¹¹ “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. ¹² “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ “But he who endures to the end shall be saved. ¹⁴ “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

¹⁵ “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), ¹⁶ “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. ¹⁸ “And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. ¹⁹ “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ²⁰ “And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. ²² “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

²³ “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.²⁴ “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ “See, I have told you beforehand.

²⁶ “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.²⁷ “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ²⁸ “For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

 The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁹ “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹ “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Who do you think is responsible for the abomination of desolation Jesus is speaking of in Matthew 24:15? (a profile of this person is given in Revelation 13:1-8 and II Thess. 2:3 –

_________________

Rev. 13: 1-8

¹ Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. ² Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. ³ And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. ⁴ So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

⁵ And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. ⁶ Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. ⁷ It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. ⁸ All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

(The Anti-Christ will also be discussed later when we review II Thess. 2:1-10.)

When he arrives, what event happens according to Matthew 24:21? __________________________

According to Matthew 24: 29-31, when does Christ return for the “gathering?”_________________________

Does Christ mention anything about a rapture before the great tribulation period? _____________

Note: Jesus does not teach about a pretribulation rapture in Matt. 24:3-31. He teaches a post tribulation resurrection.

On the timeline provided below place an arrow where Christ returns based on information given by the scriptures above and label it Matt 24:29-31.

Deviations from Matthew 24:3-31

Jesus says:

1. There is a great tribulation period just before His coming.
2. Those killed in the tribulation are Christians (verse 9) who are killed for Jesus’ name sake.
3. Christ comes after the tribulation and gathers the elect.

What Jesus does NOT say is anything referring to a rapture that will take place before the great tribulation.

Matthew 24 is profound in its simplicity. When the scripture is taken at its word for what it literally says, it gives a clear picture of the things to come. Jesus emphasized the importance of what he was saying in verse 15 “who so readeth, let him understand.” The hardships and sufferings of the tribulation are laid out unsparingly. In verse 22, he says that except those days be shortened, there shall be no flesh saved, but for the elects’ sake those days shall be shortened. He didn’t say that he was coming down to earth to rapture the elect out of the terrible affliction he is describing, rather, he says the days of tribulation will be shortened. He then stresses that false prophets will arise to deceive people that Christ is here, or is there, and he says “believe it not.” If Christ’s plan was to come to rapture his church out of this tribulation, why would he warn us so sternly about the coming deception of people claiming his return? He says, “Behold, I have told you before…”, then says do NOT believe claims of his return, but know that the coming of the Son of Man will be…. Immediately when? AFTER the tribulation of those days… THEN shall appear the Son of Man in heaven. Jesus tells us clearly what will happen, and stresses the point “I have told you this before,” and then warns us not to be deceived.

So..... hard to mess that up…right? Yet pretribulation rapture advocates do exactly that. They add a rapture before the tribulation that Christ did not teach us. Thus they add to Matt 24:31 a rapture that Jesus never teaches about. (Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure… do not add to His words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.)

It should be unacceptable to think that Jesus would never mention a pretribulation rapture of all believers that have ever lived since the beginning of time if this was true. Instead, he teaches a resurrection after tribulation and at the end of the age (which will be discussed later in the paper).

Does the “Elect” mentioned in Matt. 24:3-31 refer to the nation of Israel, or to Christian believers?

There are those who believe that the references to the word “elect” in Matt. 24:22,24 are directed towards Israel. However, when Jesus uses the word “elect” only a few verses later in verse 31, these same people say “elect” in this verse means “believers” who will be gathered at Christ’s coming as part of the resurrection. Of course, the reason it matters whether “elect” refers to Israel or to Christian believers is that pretribulation advocates believe that Christians are raptured prior to the tribulation. If, therefore, the “elect” are Christians, then the pretribulation rapture theory has no merit since these passages clearly describe challenges to the “elect” during the tribulation.

While Israel as a nation is certainly referenced as God’s chosen or elect in reference to the Abrahamic covenant in the Old Testament, the word “elect” in the vast part of the New Testament is used instead to mean “believers.” Paul writes in Romans 11:7-8 “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: “God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”

There is clear distinction in these verses that the “elect” are separate from the nation Israel, and Christians have blessings originally granted to Israel. Jesus affirms this in

Matt. 21:42-43 when he states:

⁴² Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

⁴³ Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

One needs to consider when contemplating Matt 24:22-24 that Jesus just called the leaders of Israel hypocrites, snakes, vipers, and citizens of hell in the preceeding chapter. When Jesus states in Matt. 24:24 that the false Christs and prophets would show such great signs and wonders that if possible, even the elect would be deceived, one needs to keep in mind that the nation of Israel had already been deceived and missed the Messiah. Only the saved children of God can be tempted to lose Godly vision at this point! Israel had already blown it! Therefore, when Jesus talks to the elect in this chapter, he is talking to believers: the same believers Paul addresses when he discusses the “elect” in Romans 11:7-8;

Col 3:12 - 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Paul was talking to Gentiles)

1 Thess. 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (Paul was talking to Gentiles)

Romans 8:33 - 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

³⁴ Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

(Paul is talking to Romans, Gentiles)

John 3:16 ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

In this verse, “whosoever” refers to all in the world – all who come are part of the “election!”

Galations 3:28-29 ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

²⁹ And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Romans 2:28-29 ²⁸ For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

²⁹ But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

If you have come to the conclusion that the elect of God are believers, you are in good company…. Paul agrees with you!

1 Peter 1:1-2 ¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

² Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Peter is talking to believers - not about Israel.

2 Peter 1:10-11 ¹⁰ Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

¹¹ For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Peter is talking to believers – not Israel when he uses the word election)

All the scriptures mentioned above indicate that the “elect” Jesus describes in Matt. 24 are indeed believers and therefore Matt 24:9 applies to them as a tribulation event.

Matthew 24:24 ²⁴ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Paul’s disclosure of the Antichrist

According to II Thess. 2:1-10

Based on your current knowledge and understanding, answer the following questions:

Paul says to let no man deceive you by any means, for “that day” (referring to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering to him) will not come unless the _______________ comes first, and ____________is revealed.

How will the Lord destroy the Antichrist? ___________________________

On your time line mark the time period where Christ is expected to return to “gather” his saints.

Now that you have answered these questions based upon your current understanding, let us take a closer look at them.

Read II Thessalonians 2:1-10

¹ Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, ² not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. ³ Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

What two events happen on “that day” which Paul is speaking about in verse 1?__________________ and _____________________.

What must happen before “that day” according to verse 3-5? _____________________ and _____________________.

How does the son of perdition show that he is “God?” ____________________________________

How will the Antichrist (son of perdition) be destroyed? ___________________

In reference to the Antichrist, does Paul’s time frame for the resurrection agree with Jesus’ (Matthew 24:3-31) (above?__________________

On your time line mark the time period where Christ is expected to return to “gather” his saints and mark it II Thessalonians 2:1-10. (Hint: It must be after the Anti-Christ is revealed. It is impossible “that day” is before the tribulation) Paul does not teach a resurrection (rapture) before the tribulation period in which the antichrist declares himself. He teaches a resurrection after the tribulation.

The Deviation from II Thessalonians 2:1-10

Pretribulation rapture advocates interpret the reference to a falling away in verse three “the Day will not come unless the falling away comes first” as a rapture. That is not what scripture teaches. A falling away indicates the abandonment of a position one holds towards something. This is exactly what will happen when church members around the world realize that the pretribulation rapture that their preachers promised is not going to happen. They will wonder if the pretribulation rapture isn’t true, then what else in the Bible is wrong too? They will be blind to the fact that the pretribulation rapture was never scriptural, as their trusted teachers misled them to believe.

Paul’s direction here is an obvious warning to Christians that Christ will not return until after the antichrist reveals himself by sitting in the temple and proclaiming himself God. Any statement that Christians will be raised in a rapture before that time contradicts Paul’s teaching. Pretribulation rapture advocates ignore verses 3-4 that teach the Antichrist must be revealed and declare himself God while sitting in the temple, before the coming of the Lord and the gathering of his saints. Therefore, they take away from scripture.

Paul also reminds us there is a falling away that comes before his return and our gathering. Jesus also taught this in Matt. 24:9-13, saying:

“9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Pretribulation advocates ignore Paul’s notice of both the falling away and the rise of the Antichrist requirements before the gathering. (Deut. 4:2 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.)

Paul reiterates this fact in I Timothy 4:1: 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Verse 8 states that when Christ comes he will destroy the Antichrist with the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming. This reference to his coming is singular (i.e., he is only coming once, and it is at the end of the Great Tribulation. IIThessalonians 2:1-10 teaches a post-tribulation rapture, not a pre-tribulation rapture!) If he had come and raptured believers before the tribulation, he certainly would have had the same effect on the Antichrist. There is no scripture substantiating a secret rapture or pretribulation coming.

The agreement test: Does the coming of Christ taught in II Thess. 2: 1-10 agree with Christ’s testimony in Matt. 24:3-31 that he will return after the great tribulation? Of course the answer is “yes!”

Paul’s Thessalonians requirements for the rapture.

I Thess. 4:13-18

Based on your current knowledge and understanding, answer the following questions:

In reference to the rapture, who must be resurrected before the living can be raised? The ____________ in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are ___________ and remain shall be caught up together with _____ in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Where will those believers be with from that resurrection forward?_______________________

What announces the Lord’s coming according to verse 16? The Lord shall descend with a ______________________ with the _____ of the archangel and the _________ of God.

On the time line provided, mark where the first resurrection/rapture occurs.

Now let us examine these questions in detail:

Read I Thessalonians 4:13 – 18.

¹³ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.

According to verses 15-16, who must be resurrected before the living can be raised? _________________________ . An understanding of who these saints are and when they were killed is key to discovering the timing of their rapture.

John tells us who these “dead” men are and that they are members of the first resurrection of the dead in Revelation 20:4. 4 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 did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

They are:

1. Those who were beheaded for the witness of Jesus/word of God (Revelation 13:7) 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
2. Those who were beheaded for not worshipping the beast or his image. (Revelation 13:15) 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
3. Those who were beheaded for not taking the mark on their head or hand. (Revelation 13:16) 16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Note that these people died during the tribulation because they would not worship the beast or take the mark.

If a person does not fall into one of these categories above, when does Rev. 20:5 tell us that person will be raised? __________________________

After learning who the dead are that are raised in the 1st resurrection, why is it not possible for this resurrection to occur in a rapture before the tribulation? ____________________________.

According to I Thess. 4:16-17, where do the believers/saints meet Jesus? _______________

Who will they be with from that resurrection forward?________________

What announces the Lord’s coming according to verse 16? ______________________

______________________

______________________

If the dead meet Jesus in the clouds of the air, is it logical to think these dead saints were already in heaven and returning with Christ?

On the time line provided, mark where the first resurrection/rapture occurs and label it I Thess. 4:13-18.

(Hint: John (Rev 20:4-6) says the 1st Resurrection of the dead consists of martyrs who died during the tribulation. Therefore the saints raised in the “rapture” must be raised after the tribulation period.) These verses reveal there will be a resurrection after the tribulation – not before.

Deviation from I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Many believe all Christians that have ever lived and died up to this point are raised from the dead here. However, Rev. 20:4-6 clearly states that only those who are killed as a witness for Jesus, those who were killed because they would not worship the beast, and those who would not accept the mark of the beast on their foreheads or hand are raised at this time. Only these select martyrs will reign as Priests. John says the rest of the dead are not raised to life until after the 1000 year reign of Christ. . Pretribulation advocates that teach that all are raised add to the scriptures. (Deut. 4:2 You shall not add to the word which I command you neither shall ye diminish ought from it….) The teaching that the dead meet Christ in the air only to return with him should be reserved for the event that Christ teaches in Matt. 24:29-31 and II Thess. 2:1-10. To add the I Thess. 4:13-18 events to a so called rapture before the great tribulation was never taught by Christ or any of his disciples. However, one has every right to associate this description of the resurrection with Matt. 24:3-31 and II Thess. 2:1-10. Therefore, I Thess. 4:13-18, Matt. 24:3.-31, and II Thess. 2:1-10 all agree when describing a resurrection or gathering of the elect after the great tribulation. There is no biblical reference that shows 1 Thess. 4:13-18 can be used in reference to a pretribulation rapture.

Paul’s Corinthian requirements for the 1st resurrection/rapture

Based on your current knowledge and understanding, answer the following questions:

1. What sounds before the dead are raised incorruptible? ___________________
2. What adjective is used to describe what sounds?
3. On the time line provided mark where the last trump occurs.

Now that you have answered these questions based upon your current understanding, let us take a closer look at them.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality

According to verse 52, what sounds before the dead are raised incorruptible? ___________________

And which trump is it?____________________

There are seven trumpets which sound in the book of Revelation:

The first trumpet is followed by hail and fire (Rev. 8:7)

⁷ The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

The second trumpet is followed by bloody seas (Rev. 8:8)

⁸ Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. ⁹ And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

The third trumpet is followed by falling stars (Rev. 8:10)

¹⁰ Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. ¹¹ The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

The fourth trumpet is followed by smitten sun, moon, and stars (Rev. 8:12)

¹² Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

The fifth trumpet is followed by locusts which sting like scorpions that sting the lost (Rev. 9:1-11)

¹ Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. ² And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. ³ Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. ⁴ They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. ⁵ And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. ⁶ In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

⁷ The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. ⁸ They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth.⁹ And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. ¹⁰ They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. ¹¹ And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.

The sixth trumpet is followed by the slaying of the third part of men (Rev. 9:13- Rev. 10-6)

¹³ Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, ¹⁴ saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” ¹⁵ So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. ¹⁶ Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. ¹⁷ And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. ¹⁸ By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. ¹⁹ For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.

²⁰ But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. ²¹ And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

¹ I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. ² He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, ³ and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. ⁴ Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

⁵ The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven ⁶ and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,

The seventh trumpet is followed by when the mystery of God is finished as he has declared to his servants the prophets (Rev. 11:15)

¹⁵ Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms[f] of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Obviously, all these trumpet events occur during the tribulation.

If Paul states in I Corinthians 15:51-52 that the resurrection (rapture) of the dead occurs after the last trump, wouldn’t that rapture have to be after these seven trumps which sound during the great tribulation? _________________ Why? _________________________________

On the time line provided mark where the last trump occurs and label it I Corinthians 15:51-53. (Hint: It may be after the great tribulation or after the 1000 years, but it can’t be before the great tribulation or it wouldn’t be the last trump.) These verses teach a post tribulation resurrection, NOT a pretribulation rapture.

The Deviation from 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

The pretribulation advocate is quick to use I Corinthians 15:51-52 as evidence of a pretribulation rapture. However it is obvious in this verse that the rapture happens at the last trump. Even a casual reading of Revelation shows that if one is raised at the last trump, it must be at the end of the great tribulation, not before it begins. Any attempt to move it in front of the tribulation and its seven trumpet blasts by pretribulation advocates is a distortion of the scripture.

Agreement test:

Is the coming of Christ as depicted in Matt. 24:3-31, II Thess. 2:1-10, and I Thess. 4:13-18 compatible with a last trump as described by Paul in I Corinthians 15:51-52? Yes! Only when one associates I Cor. 15:51-52 with a rapture before the great tribulation will it conflict with scripture: one cannot have a rapture at the last trump that comes before the seven trumpet sounds in the tribulation. The last trump has to sound after all other trumpet sounds.

Discovering the number of resurrections and Who is Raised in the First Resurrection of the Dead Based on your current knowledge and understanding, answer the following questions:

How many resurrections are there? ___________________

What time period separates them? ____________________

How long do those who are part of the first resurrection serve as priests on Earth?______________________

Who is included in the 1st resurrection? ________________________

________________________

________________________

On the time line provided, mark the place when the first resurrection of the dead occurs and label it Rev. 20:4-6

Now that you have answered these questions based upon your current understanding, let us take a closer look at them.

Revelation 20:4-6;

⁴ And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:11-15

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and Him who 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, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Referencing Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15,

How many resurrections are there? ___________________

What time period separates them? ____________________

How long do those who are part of the first resurrection serve as priests on Earth?______________________

What three groups are included in the 1st resurrection according to Revelation 20:4-6?________________________

________________________

________________________

On the time line provided, mark the place when the first resurrection of the dead occurs and label it Rev. 20:4-6

(Hint: These people have to be included in a resurrection which comes after the tribulation because they were killed during the tribulation.)

A rapture or resurrection before the tribulation is not taught in Rev. 20:4-15!

On the time line provided mark the place when the first resurrection occurs and label it Rev. 20:5; 11-13

Where Pre-Tribulation Advocates Deviate from Rev. 20: 1-15

The time frames of Revelation 20:1-15 begins with Satan being captured and thrown into the bottomless pit. Verses 2 and 3 both state the time limit on his stay there is to be 1000 years. Verse 7 states at the end of the thousand years, Satan is released to lead the world in rebellion against the saints (v.9) for a period of time at the end of the 1000 years. Satan is released and opposes the saints all over the world and the beloved city (Jerusalem.) Satan is then, once again, captured and thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night forever.

Then the chapter ends with the Great White Throne judgment (v. 11). At this judgment, every man is judged according to his works. Those that were not found in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire with Satan.

In this chapter, John mentions two resurrections. The first resurrection includes three groups of people and three groups of people only because John states the rest of the dead are not raised until the 1000 years is finished. The three specific groups mentioned are (a) those beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the word of God; (b) Those who had not worshipped the beast or his image and (c) Those who had not taken the beast’s mark on their forehead or hand. John says these three groups reign with Him as priests for 1000 years.

The resurrection at the end of the 1000 years mentioned in verse 5 constitutes the second resurrection. For any person or group to claim the first or second resurrection described in this chapter can occur before the tribulation events contradict Rev. 20:1-15 and should not be embraced by Christians. John teaches that both the first and second resurrection occur after great tribulation. A rapture before the great tribulation is not mentioned in Rev. 20 or anywhere else in the Bible.

Prevalent Deviations from Rev. 20:4-6

In 2013, a prominent Texas pastor taught that the first resurrection is actually a series of four “firstfruit” resurrections. (See Illustrations above.) This is a common teaching among those who believe in a pretribulation rapture. Those four resurrections include Christ’s resurrection as shown in 1a (Matt. 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, 21); a pretribulation “rapture” shown at 1b, the resurrection of saints at Christ’s coming, see Matt. 24:29-31 shown at 1c, and the Great White Throne Judgment resurrection at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ (Rev. 20:5, 11-15) at 1d. (The dictionary defines “first” as: prior to all others in time; earliest. Surely this is the first time in all history someone has used “first” to mean “four!”)

With this reasoning one could also surmise that there is no 2nd resurrection, i.e. every resurrection for the Christian is a first resurrection. Or why not just say every Christian’s resurrection is the last resurrection since it is the last time they are resurrected. The fact is, Paul writes in I Corinthians 15:20-23 that Christ is the first fruits (not us!) and that we will be raised “at his coming.”

²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

²¹ For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

²³ But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

To call all Christians the firstfruit is to add to 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, and changes the message of Paul and John as given by the Holy Spirit. The word “firstfruits” is used 32 times in the Bible but never in relationship to the resurrection of all believers.

Matthew 24:29 clearly states this coming is after the tribulation. Since Rev. 20:4-6 states that members of this “first” resurrection include martyrs killed during the tribulation it is impossible they are raised before the tribulation. Additionally, this theory that the first resurrection really means four resurrections should be rejected as incorrect since this interpretation adds to what John said in Rev. 20:4-6. This is adding to John’s report of the “first resurrection” which includes only those 1) beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the word of God, 2) those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and 3) those who had not received the mark on their foreheads or hands. The chart used to illustrate the pastor’s theory states all Christians are raised from the grave before the 1000 year reign. This is not what these verses say. John is specific about who is raised and plainly states everyone else is raised after the millennial reign. The fact is that John didn’t want others to add or take away from what was revealed to him and says so in Rev. 22:18-19. 18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

By adding other saints to the Rev. 20:4-6 list, pretribulation rapture advocates usurp the message given by Jesus himself to his disciple, John, and come up with their own revelation.

The attempt by some church leaders to add to Rev. 20:4-6 and to change the meaning of “first resurrection” certainly comes as a result of protecting the idea of a pretribulation “rapture.” Pretriublation rapture advocates know that since 1 Thess. 4:15-17 and 1 Cor. 15:51-52 state the dead rise first to meet Jesus in the air, any idea that a first and single resurrection that includes those who were killed in the great tribulation completely destroys the idea of a pretribulation rapture. The “first resurrection” as mentioned in Rev. 20:4-6 if interpreted literally instead has to occur after the great tribulation as Jesus stated in Matt. 24:29-31. There is not a single scripture that states there is a pretribulation rapture in the Bible. It is a tradition of man and an addition to scripture.

The simplicity of Rev. 20:4-15 is that there are only two resurrections: One at Christ’s return after the Great Tribulation which starts His 1000 year reign, and a second at the end of Christ’s 1000 year reign in time for the Great White Throne Judgment. Any thought of a pretribulation rapture or a mid-tribulation rapture adds to scripture .

The agreement test: Does John’s teaching (Rev. 20: 4-6) that the first resurrection comes after the great tribulation agree with Matt. 24? Yes! Does it agree with II Thess. 2? Yes! Does it agree with I Cor. 15:51-52? Yes!

The second resurrection

Based on your current knowledge and understanding, answer the following questions:

When is the last resurrection of the dead? _______________________

On the time line provided mark the time of “the end of the world”. At the end of the world, who is raised first, the lost or the saved? _____________________

Now that you have answered these questions based upon your current understanding, let us take a closer look at them.

Read Matthew 13:24-30, 38-43, 47-50;

²⁴ Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; ²⁵ “but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. ²⁶ “But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. ²⁷ “So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ ²⁸ “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ ²⁹ “But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ ‘Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

³⁸ “The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.³⁹ “The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age (end of the world, KJV), and the reapers are the angels. ⁴⁰ “Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. ⁴¹ “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, ⁴² “and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, ⁴⁸ “which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, ⁵⁰ “and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

John 5:28-29

²⁸ Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

²⁹ And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

John 6:40, 44, 54;

⁴⁰ “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

⁴⁴ “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

⁵⁴ “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Revelation 20:4-6

⁴ And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years

Revelation 20:11-15

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and Him who 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, standing before God and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. ¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:1-2

¹ Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

According to Revelation 20:5, this resurrection comes at the end of the _______________________

On the time line provided mark the time of the “last day” and label it John 6:40, 44, 54. Can this be on the day of Christ’s return? ____ Why not? __________________________

(Hint: The last day has to be after the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth and in time for the Great White Throne Judgment.)

On the time line provided mark the time of “the end of the world” and label it Matt. 13:24-30, 38-43, 47-50. At the end of the world, who is raised first, the lost or the saved? _____________________

The timing of a last day resurrection in Matt. 13:24-30, 38-43, 47-50, John 5:28-29, 6:40, 44, 54 and Rev. 20:4-15 all agreed with the fact of a resurrection at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ and a judgment at the Great White Throne. Conversely, a pretribulation rapture is not found in any of the verses mentioned above…… or anywhere else in the Bible.

Judgment

Based on your current knowledge and understanding, answer the following questions:

This Judgment will be located around _______________ and will include those raised from the dead, both the ___________ and the ______________.

All will stand before __________.

All were judged out of the things written in the books according to their ________.

Only those whose names were found in ______________ were spared from the ____________.

Who enters into the New Jerusalem which descends from Heaven?

Now for a closer look at these questions:

John 5:22 ²² For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son

Remember that all judgment is given to Christ by the Father.

Matthew 25:31-34; 41; 46

³¹ "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

⁴¹ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels

⁴⁶ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Note that in this judgment both the lost and saved are present. The judgment happens after Christ’s return. The reward of Heaven is not given until after judgment. The verdict of Hell is not given until after judgment.

Three facts stand out from these passages:

1. There is a judgment after Christ’s return
2. The saved and lost are judged at the same “hearing”
3. Christian and Lost are rewarded after judgment, not before.

For anyone to state that Christians are already in heaven after death contradicts these verses. For anyone to state that Christians are not present with the lost in judgment also contradicts these scriptures.

Matthew 12:36

³⁶ But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Acts 24:15

¹⁵ And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Romans 2: 5-11

⁵ But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

⁶ Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

⁷ To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

⁸ But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

⁹ Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

¹⁰ But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

¹¹ For there is no respect of persons with God.

NOTE: Judgment Day is a day of wrath and glory, including every man, the lost and the saved, some to punishment, and some to honor.

Romans 14:9-12

⁹ For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

¹⁰ But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

¹¹ For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

II Corinthians 5:10

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Note: the judgment rendered at the Judgment Seat of Christ is not all good, but includes the bad (evil) also.

Hebrews 9:27

²⁷ And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

Note the day of judgment is singular in all these verses. There is not a judgment for Christians and a separate judgment for the lost.

Rev. 20:7-15

This Judgment will be located around ________________ (Rev. 20:11) and will include those raised from the dead (Rev. 20:12), both the ___________ and the ______________.

All were judged out of the things written in the books according to their ________. (Rev.20:12)

All will stand before __________. (Rev. 20:12)

According to Rev. 20:15, only those whose names were found in ______________ were spared from __________.

Rev. 21:10 ¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Rev. 21:27 ²⁷ And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Who enters into this city which descends from heaven?

_________________________________________________

This is our reward. We do not get this reward until “after” the Great White Throne Judgment, nor do the lost receive their punishment until after the Great White Throne Judgment!

Deviation from Revelation 20:11-15

God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing whether it be good, or whether it be bad. (II Corin 5:10) This agrees with Hebrew 9:27 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Pretribulation rapture advocates also teach that believers pass into heaven without going through judgment. The omission of the judgment by pretribulation advocates ignores II Cor. 5:10 and Heb. 9:27, and also contradicts Jesus’ account of Matthew 25:31-46 where the sheep and the goats are separated at the Great White Throne judgment. Here he is throwing the cursed into everlasting fire and delivering the blessed into the kingdom and life eternal. Had the Great White Throne Judgment included only the lost in Rev. 20:11-15, there would not be a need for the comment “and anyone not written in the Book of life was cast into the Lake of Fire.” The clear message here is that there are people whose names were found in the Book of Life who were not thrown into the lake of fire. To teach otherwise is a deviation from these scriptures and adds to what is obviously taught in these verses. (Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure… do not add to His words, Lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.)

So what about John 5:24 24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. and Roman 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Many believe that since the Bible teaches “no condemnation” to the saved, we will skip the judgment. They fail to grasp, however, that going into judgment is not the same as being condemned. There was a time in the author’s life when he was charged (falsely) of doing a wrong. He went to court where the jury unanimously found him “not guilty”. I went into judgment, but was not condemned. And so it is with every man. All will be judged, but not all will be condemned.

Jesus never expected us to be delivered from tribulation.

John 17:15 ¹⁵ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. Pretribulation advocates teach an escape from the world. To the contrary, Jesus warned the disciples of the very opposite! In John 16:33 He stated, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[d] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Again, pretribulation advocates teach the opposite of what Christ teaches, in that they teach deliverance from tribulation, while Christ teaches persecution. In John 5:18-21 He says 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. Pretribulation advocates teach a rapture before tribulation that neither Christ nor his disciples ever mentioned. Surely there will be a consequence for this false teaching!

When the disciples were asked in Matt. 24 what signs would tell of the end of the world, Jesus responded there would be a period where they would be afflicted, killed, and hated of all nations for my name’s sake. (Matt. 24:9) Almost every pretribulation advocate shifts this persecution to the nation of Israel. However, the thought that the nation of Israel would die for Christ’s name is almost unbelievable! The “elect” that are mentioned in Matt 24:22-24 at the gathering are certainly not lost Israel, but believers.

One might ask the question in this case, was John 15:18-21, John 16:33, and John 7:15 also directed to Israel?

John 15:18-21 ¹⁸ “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

John 16:33 ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[d] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.,

and John 7:15 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

And how about the rest of the Bible? The obvious answer seems to be that the New Testament was addressed to all believers, not to the nation of Israel. No matter how many believers ultimately come out of the nation of Israel, they can only amount to a miniscule amount of the total believers around the world. One should come to the understanding that in the verses above John is speaking of all believers and not to a nation. Galations 3:28 says 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The Elevated Position of the Tribulation Saints

Revelation 7:9-17

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

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

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

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

¹³ 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.

The obvious thing about this multitude is that:

1. There are so many that no man can count them
2. They come from every nation, tribe, types of people and every language
3. They are clothed with white robes and have palm branches in their hands
4. All come out of the great tribulation (according to verse 14)
5. They are before the throne and stand before Jesus (the Lamb of God) at the Throne of God.
6. They Serve Him day and night
7. All present are worshipping God who is on the throne.
8. God dwells among them.

Verse 14 identifies those people as those who come out of the Great Tribulation. God and the Lamb (Jesus) take care of them and are in their midst. It is also noteworthy that while the angels, the four living creatures and the elders are there that other Christians which did not go through the Great Tribulation do not seem to be present! (ALL who were identified were in white robes and all appear to have gone through the tribulation – no others are mentioned.) God must be very proud of this group, and seems to be honoring them exclusively. The Lord is praising these people much as he did Job in Job 1:8 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? In Rev. 20:6 these tribulation participants are called “blessed” and “holy”, and the priests which reign with God and Christ 1000 years!! They are promised they will reign with Christ as priests through the millennium. Those believers are loved and respected by God and the Lamb very much. There is none like them in the Kingdom!

In contrast, Christ called the priests of his day hypocrites, children of hell, fools, blind, unclean, serpents, and vipers. (Matt. 23) What a difference salvation with the leadership of the Holy Spirit dwelling within a person makes!

Why do so many Christian pastors and leaders teach their flocks they will not be eligible to participate in the tribulation “cleansing?” (Rev. 7:14)? These leaders completely ignore verses like John 16:33, 15:18-23, Matt. 10:16-19, 24:9, II Tim 3:1, 12, II Tim 4:2-5, II Cor. 12:10, I Thess. 3:4, II Tim 3:12, I Peter 4:12. These same teachers who fail to teach the blessed and holy status of martyred saints invent a pretribulation rapture that God never described in scripture. There seems to be an attitude among believers today that we are the “privileged” and “above” those that are called to go through the great tribulation.

This is in stark contrast to what Jesus taught in Matt 5:10-12: 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 10:24 ²⁴ “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

Furthermore, the believers in Acts 5:40-41 stated: 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Someone once said, “Unless a man comes to the point that he is willing to die for something, he will never know how to live.” Perhaps it is because we are not committed to the load that we seem so eager to avoid persecution as Christians. Jesus says we are blessed when persecuted and that we should “rejoice and be exceedingly glad” when persecuted.

And so the question is concerning the tribulation saints, are they happy with the sacrifice they made? No doubt they are visiting with one another saying, “this is as good as it gets, isn’t it?” or “it was worth it after all,” or “If I had it to do over again, I would go the same path again.”

Deviation from Rev. 7:9-17

Pretribulation rapture advocates change verse 14 and state that all Christians are present in this throne gathering. Likewise, in Rev. 4:1, they change the invitation for John to come to heaven to see what will take place in the future to the rapture of all Christians.

Christ’s Return and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Revelation 19:1-21

¹ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

² For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

³ And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

⁴ And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

⁵ And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

⁶ And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

⁷ 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 he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

¹⁰ And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

¹¹ 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.

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.

¹⁷ And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

¹⁸ That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

¹⁹ And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

²⁰ And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

²¹ And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

The synopsis of this chapter includes:

1. a great multitude in heaven praising and glorifying God
2. the announcement of the marriage of the Lamb and a calling of the marriage supper of the Lamb
3. the description of Jesus and how a two edged sword will be used to strike the nations
4. how He will rule the nations with a rod of iron
5. a statement from an angel calling for the fowls to come to the supper of our great God to prepare to eat the flesh of kings, captains, mighty men, of horses and people, both small and great.
6. The destruction of beast and kings of the earth and their armies The synopsis above parallels Matt 24:29-31 which states Christ will return and gather His elect from all over the world.

²⁹ 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.

Christ’s return is clearly after the tribulation period.

The passage also fulfills Acts 1:10-11 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

¹¹ Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Acts states Christ’s return in a like manner as to His leaving. In John 14:2-3 Christ returns to earth so that we may be with Him!

² In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

And finally, the passage @ Thess. 2:1-4; 8 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 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.

⁸ And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

All of the verses tell of a return to earth and a gathering of the saints (elect). The verses in Matthew and @ Thessalonians teach this gathering is after the great tribulation.

The glaring error of many in the Church today is that they teach the marriage supper of the Lamb is an event which takes place in heaven before Christ’s return to earth. They forget the whole purpose of Christ’s return is to gather the saints (his bride) which happen to be on earth, not in heaven. And what marriage feast ever commenced without the Bride? The Bride is still on earth awaiting the groom, Christ. One might surmise from Rev. 19:17-18 that this “supper” occurs as believers are united with Jesus in the “clouds of the air” (1Thess. 4:17) during his coming. They witness the slaughter of the Antichrist and his followers and their destruction, which is a consequence of their rebellion against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Note that the “supper of our great God” appears to be the consumption of the flesh of kings, captains, and armies of the beast (Antichrist). One must consider that the “marriage supper of the lamb” in verse 9 and the “supper of our great God” in verse 17 are one, and the object of the feast is the flesh of the victims…all of which takes place on earth with the risen saints watching from the “clouds in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17). Only the grandstand of the clouds could contain these saints, which no man can number. (Rev. 7:9) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Rev. 20:4-6 makes it abundantly clear that, upon Christ’s return to earth, he will reign on earth 1000 years when there will be a second resurrection of the dead. While it is possible the marriage supper could actually be on earth where the bride has awaited Christ’s return, it is not possible for the supper to be in heaven before Christ’s return because the bride is on earth awaiting his return.

Conclusion

Per I Thess. 4:13, we do not have to be ignorant concerning “them which are asleep.” We may not know the hour but we are told how to recognize the season when we see it. “But of that day and hour no man knoweth, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matt. 24:36

Every debate about the coming of Christ and the resurrection must fall within the time frame that is shown on the time line. All the scriptures mentioned agree with one another and support each other. There is not a single scripture in the Bible that teaches a pretribulation rapture. On the other hand, all scriptures above point to a post tribulation rapture.

The advocate of a pretribulation rapture would lead one to believe God is going to deliver us out of the coming great tribulation period. However, after completing the previous questions, it should be evident that Christians are going to be forced to make a choice in whom they will put their trust. Christ reinforces this in Matthew 24:9 when he says : 9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Daniel in the eleventh chapter, 33rd verse says in reference to those who know their God, 33And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. John in Revelation 13:7-10 says 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Considering the above verses and the fact that all of Christ’s disciples were imprisoned and/or killed, a desire or hope that believers are not going to be persecuted in the future seems historically and scripturally at odds with the scriptures presented.

The sooner Christians realize we are at war with Satan and will be held accountable for our “confession” the better prepared we will be for the future. To whom we give our allegiance has eternal consequences.

Is there any relief for the believer from the hardship imposed by God during the great tribulation?

There should be a distinction between God’s wrath and man’s wrath. The Bible is very clear in Rev. 13:7 that the Antichrist will harm believers. Rev. 13:7 states 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. In Rev. 14:12-13 the saints are called upon to be patient during this period. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

It is obvious then that persecution of believers will occur. However, Matthew 10:28 states 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

There is another side of the story that Christians should be aware of. The wrath that God pours out on the earth is not on His own children.

Rev. 9: 3-5 says 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

⁴ And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

⁵ And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

Believers are spared the locust bites. Additionally, Rev. 22:18 states anyone adding to the prophecy of the book (Revelation) will have added unto him the plagues that are in the book. One should reason that a believer who does not add to the book should not experience the plagues. Perhaps just as Israel did not experience the plagues under Moses, they will not experience them during the tribulation. That is not to say, however, that men will not hurt or kill Christians. Rev. 14:12-13 indicates death to believers by man:

Revelation 16: 2 and 16:6 once again teach wrath to nonbelievers, sparing the believers.

Rev. 16:2 ² And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Rev. 16:6 ⁶ For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Even after the sixth bowl of wrath in Rev. 16:12-14, the believers who are still present are encouraged in Rev. 16:15 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. Although it is uncertain what exactly is meant by this passage, God is still blessing the obedient , not the lost.

Other Scripture to Consider

Rev. 14:9-12:

⁹ 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, 10The 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 Lamb: 11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

John 16: 2-3 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Questions for Pretribulation Rapture Advocates

1. In Rev. 20:4-5 John teaches about two resurrections. The first resurrection is called the “first” resurrection and includes martyred saints killed during the tribulation. This resurrection occurs before the 1000 year reign of Christ. Thus, John said that the rest of the dead lived not again until the 1000 years finished. Likewise, Jesus in Matt. 24:29-31 teaches us about a resurrection after the great tribulation and a second one at the end of the age (world in the KJV) as referenced in Matt. 13:24-52, John 5:28-29, 6:39, 40, and 44. Neither Jesus nor John (or anybody else) mentions a rapture before the great tribulation.

Why do you think Jesus and John (and any other writer of the Bible) would describe a resurrection after the great tribulation and the end of the world but fail to identify a pretribulation rapture that supposedly includes every believer in the world that has ever lived since the beginning of time? How could these great writers and teachers of the Bible leave out this important lesson? Just as a responsible parent teaches his child about the promises of God, wouldn’t those Biblical writers have not only taught, but moreover glorified a pretribulation rapture if this future was actually true? Why instead would they admonish believers to prepare for a great tribulation if they weren’t going to be subjected to it?

2. John teaches only two resurrections in Rev. 20: 4-6. In Rev. 22:18-19, John states that if any man adds or takes away from this book he will experience the plagues that are in the book. (In other words, he seems to think what he has written was God inspired and complete.) Isn’t adding a third resurrection, that being a resurrection which occurs before the tribulation, adding to the book, and are we vulnerable to the consequences described by John if we do so?
3. In II Thess. 2:1-10, Paul teaches that the coming of Christ and our gathering together unto Him will not happen until after the son of perdition is revealed (Antichrist) and declares himself God. Why do we teach a gathering before the Antichrist is revealed that contradicts what Paul said?
4. Jesus in Matt. 24:31 and Paul in I Thess. 4:16 and I Cor. 15:51-52 teach a trumpet sounding at our gathering. Paul, in I Cor. 15:51-52 describes the sounding as the last trump. In Revelation, John describes seven trumpet blasts – all during the tribulation. How can we associate the “last trump” described by Paul in I Cor. 15L51-52 with a pretribulation rapture since we know there are at least seven trumps still to follow during the great tribulation period?
5. In I Thess. 4:3-18 Paul teaches that the dead are raised (resurrected) before those who are alive. Yet John teaches in Rev. 20:4 that the first dead to be raised from the grave are martyrs who died during the tribulation. How can we associate II Thess. 4:13-18 with a rapture before the tribulation if those who are raised in the first resurrection include people who were killed during the tribulation?
6. Does a pretribulation rapture contradict Jesus’ prayer in John 17:15 which says, “I pray not that thou takest them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one.”?
7. When the Bible speaks of the coming of Christ, it always speaks of the coming in singular form. The New Testament mentions his coming 28 times and his comings zero times. If there were a pre-tribulation coming and a post tribulation coming why wouldn’t there be mention of plural comings?
8. Doesn’t the idea of Christians being delivered (raptured) before the tribulation conflict with Daniel 8:24, 11:33-35, Matt. 24:9, Rev 7:9-17, 13:7-10?
9. State a single Bible reference that describes a pretribulation rapture.
10. Please quote a scripture that says we will watch tribulation events from heaven.
11. Please quote a scripture that says millions will be missing from earth prior to the tribulation.
12. Deut. 4:2, 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, Rev. 22:18-19 all say not to add to the word. To what book and chapter in the Bible should a Christian be willing to add the statement, “There is a pretribulation rapture of the saints.”?
13. Pretribulation rapture advocates teach that Christians bypass the great white throne judgment mentioned in Rev. 20:11. Yet in Matthew Jesus teaches that all nations will be gathered to Him, the lost ones on one side, and the saved on the other. (Matt. 25:31-36.) In Romans 2:5-11, 14:9-12, II Cor. 5:10 and Heb. 9:27 Paul teaches that all are judged. In Rev. 20:12 John teaches that the dead, small and great are judged. What right does a Christian have to declare we are not judged when God clearly states throughout the Bible that we are? Isn’t there a difference between being judged and being condemned? (see Romans 8:1)
14. Pretribulation rapture advocates say that while the church is mentioned in the first three chapters of Revelation, but when tribulation events begin to occur, the church is no longer mentioned and therefore not present. However, the word “saints” is used 13 times in Rev. 5-20. As of when are the saints no part of the Church, and as of when are tribulation believers mentioned in Rev. 7 (who are so numerous that no man can count) not part of the Church?

How close are we?

Before the tribulation, the temple in Jerusalem has to be rebuilt. (II Thessalonians 2:3-4) Both Paul and Daniel refer to the temple and the sacrifice in the temple, saying 3Let 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; 4Who 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.

Daniel 11:31 ³¹ And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

There also has to be a one world government and monetary system. Rev. 13-3 says “…. and all the world wondered after the beast…and they worshipped the beast, saying Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? “ Rev. 13:8 says, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb…” Rev. 13:16 says he forces all “…to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their forehead and that no man might buy or sell, save he had that mark…”

In 1997 Edward T. Welch wrote a book entitled When People are Big and God is Small. The dominant reason for his writing was to help people who were fearful or intimidated by others to gain self confidence and learn to depend on God for direction in their life, i.e. to leave the controlling influence of man for the confidence of a God controlled life.

There is another danger, however, that Mr. Welch did not address in his book. It occurs when one puts so much esteem into some highly educated or dynamic leader that the truth found in scripture is obscured to accommodate the feelings or belief of man. When this happens, the influenced person may state, “I know the scripture seems to say such & such but Mr. ________ is smarter and more knowledgeable than I am, so I am going to trust him.” And they do, regardless of what the Bible says. I urge the reader to prayerfully redirect his thinking to what God’s word says and resist the temptation to make people BIG and God small. The scriptures quoted in this paper reflect a resurrection after the great tribulation and not before the tribulation. The scriptures must take precedence over what any man teaches.

This paper was assembled by:

Howard Young

P. O. Box 4

Justin, TX 76247

hyoung@justinstbank.com

Editing by Leslie Enright

Answer Sheet

The last days according to Jesus

Who do you think is responsible for the abomination of desolation Jesus is speaking of in Matthew 24:15? (a profile of this person is given in Revelation 13:1-8 and II Thess. 2:3 –

10) Antichrist

When he arrives, what starts according to Matthew 24:21? Great tribulation

According to verse 29-31, when does Christ return for the “gathering? Immediately after the tribulation

On your time line, mark the place when Christ returns and label it Matt. 24:29-31.

(Hint: Christ says it is after the tribulation.)

Does Christ mention anything about a rapture before the great tribulation period? No____

If there was a pretribulation rapture added to Christ’s 1st resurrection or gathering of the saints after the tribulation, how many resurrections would there be, including the final Great White Throne Judgment? 3

How does this conflict with Revelation 20:4-6.? Only 2 noted, the 1st before 1000 year reign of Christ, the 2nd at the end of the 1000 years

Paul’s disclosure of the Antichrist According to II Thess. 2:1-10

What two events happen on “that day” which Paul is speaking about in verse 3?the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering to him.

What must happen before “that day” according to verse 3-5? “falling away” and the man of sin is revealed.

How does the son of perdition show that he is “God?” He sits in the temple of God

How will the Antichrist be destroyed? By the breath of Christ’s mouth and the brightness of his coming

In reference to the Antichrist, does Paul’s time frame for the resurrection agree with Jesus’ (Matthew 24:3-31) (Section II, D) above?Yes

Paul’s Requirements for the Rapture According to I Thess. 4:15-16

According to verses 15-16, who must be resurrected before the living can be raised? The dead . An understanding of who these saints are and when they were killed is key to discovering the timing of their rapture.

After learning who is raised in the 1st resurrection, why is it not possible for this resurrection to occur before the tribulation? Because these people were killed during the great tribulation. These dead people who were killed during the rapture and only be raised after the tribulation period..

According to I Thess. 4:16-17, where do the believers/saints meet Jesus? In the clouds of the air

Who will they be with from that resurrection forward? The Lord

What announces the Lord’s coming according to verse 16?

shout

with the voice of the archangel

trumpet sound

If the dead meet Jesus in the clouds of the air, is it logical to think these dead saints were already in heaven and returning with Christ?

Paul’s Corinthian requirements for the 1st resurrection/rapture

According to verse 52, what sounds before the dead are raised incorruptible? A trumpet

And which trump is it? The last

If Paul states that the 1st resurrection of the dead occurs after the last trump, wouldn’t that resurrection (rapture) have to be after these seven trumps which sound during the great tribulation? YES

Why? Because you can’t call it the last trump unless it follows the trumps described in Rev. 8-10.

Discovering the number of resurrections.

How many resurrections are there? 2

What time period separates them? 1000 years

How long do those who are part of the first resurrection serve as priests on Earth? 1000 years

What three groups are included in the 1st resurrection according to Revelation 20:4-6? Beheaded for witness of Jesus

Had not worshipped beast or his image

Had not taken the mark of the beast

The second resurrection

According to Revelation 20:5, this resurrection comes at the end of the 1000 years On the time line provided mark the time of the “last day” and label it John 6:40, 44, 54. Can this be on the day of Christ’s return? No,

Why not? Because Christ came 1000 years earlier

At the end of the world, who is raised first, the lost or the saved? Lost

Judgment

This Judgment will be located around the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11) and will include those raised from the dead (Rev. 20:12), both the great and the small.

All were judged out of the things written in the books according to their works. (Rev.20:12)

All will stand before God. (Rev. 20:12)

Only those whose names were found in Book of Life were spared from the lake of fire.

Who enters into this city which descends from heaven?

Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life