Tag: 1 Thessalonians 4:18

Light in the Last Days – Day 50

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

As we begin exploring the different perspectives on the Rapture, you’ll notice that almost every view hinges on one specific detail: timing. You might wonder why the “when” matters so much. Think about the last time you expected a loved one to visit from thousands of miles away. Because you knew they were coming, you spent days preparing the guest room, planning their favorite meals, and clearing your schedule. In the same way, understanding the timing of Christ’s return shifts our perspective from passive observation to active, joyful preparation.

Different views:

  1. Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
  2. Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
  3. Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
  4. Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

Today, we’re exploring the Mid-Tribulation perspective: the belief that the Church will be caught up to meet the Lord at the precise midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation. Proponents of this view suggest that believers will go through the first three and a half years of wrath before being rescued. But what is the biblical basis for this? It largely hinges on how one interprets Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:52. Mid-Tribulationists identify his mention of the “last trump” as the seventh and final trumpet judgment described in Revelation 11, linking the two events as a single moment in prophetic history.

1 Corinthians 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

However, the seven trumpets of Revelation are synonymous with judgment, not deliverance. There is no “blessed hope” to be found in them; rather, they represent a series of increasingly severe trials. If these trumpets are purely an expression of judgment, it raises the question of whether the “last trump” of our rescue could truly be part of such a sorrowful sequence. Let’s take a look at them in Revelation chapters 8, 9 and 11:

  1. Trumpet #1 – In Revelation 8, we see that the judgment trumpets are delivered to and sounded by angels. In contrast, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 describes a much more personal event: the Lord Himself descends with a shout and the “trump of God.” This phrase is unique, appearing nowhere else in the Old or New Testaments. While the angelic trumpets of Revelation usher in devastation—such as the first judgment of fire, hail, and blood—the “trump of God” is a sovereign call of grace. It is not a summons to judgment, but a beckoning for the Church to come home.
  2. The second trumpet in verse 8 destroys one third of sea life and ships on the seas.
  3. The third trumpet in verse 10 destroys one third of the rivers and fountains of water and poisons them.
  4. The fourth trumpet in verse 12 darkens one third of the sun, moon and stars.
  5. The fifth trumpet in 9:1 releases the first woe which opens the bottomless pit and the horrible effects of the demonic locusts.
  6. The sixth trumpet in verse 13 makes releases the second woe which releases the four angels bound in the Euphrates who kill one third of all mankind. It is here where the Two Prophets preach and do miracles.
  7. The seventh trumpet is found in 11:15 which reveals Christ’s reign to come.

Finally, it is worth noting that the seven trumpets of Revelation are not actually the “last” trumpets mentioned in the New Testament. Jesus speaks of a subsequent trumpet in Matthew 24:31. In this passage, which describes His Second Coming, He sends His angels to gather His elect “from one end of heaven to the other.” This suggests that the trumpet associated with Christ’s return in glory is distinct from the series of judgments found in the book of Revelation.

Matthew 24:31  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.

This specific trumpet refers to the Second Coming, when Christ returns to the world with His Bride. It acts as a divine signal, calling the Church together to join Him in the final battle. While the Rapture was a private meeting in the air, this trumpet announces a public, triumphant return for the purpose of final judgment and victory.

Consequently, this perspective fails to align with the spirit of encouragement found in Paul’s teachings on the Rapture. By placing the Church within the timeframe of the trumpet judgments, the “comfort” Paul speaks of is overshadowed by the reality of divine retribution. To maintain the integrity of Paul’s message, we must distinguish between the sound of judgment for the world and the sound of rescue for the believer.

1 Thessalonians 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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

We find great peace in knowing that the Church is not the target of the coming Trumpet Judgments. Scripturally, judgment is reserved for those who have turned away from God’s Word and declined His gift of salvation. As Christ’s Bride, our position is one of grace; while the world faces the consequences of disobedience, we rest in the promise that we are protected from the coming storm of wrath.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now let’s look at the timing of the Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

Matthew 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 24:50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

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

Luke 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

We must acknowledge that the timing of the Rapture is known to the Father alone. Like the five wise virgins who carried oil in their lamps, those who are sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption will be ready when the shout goes forth. They will enter the marriage, and the door will be shut—marking a finality that is reserved for the faithful (Matthew 25:10). This unique moment of grace for the Church is underscored in Revelation 3:7, reminding us that our entry is secured by the One who opens the way for His Bride.

Revelation 3:7  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

The entrance into Heaven is the Shepherd’s door, reserved for the sheep who recognize His voice and are known by Him personally (John 10:3, 27). At the moment of the Rapture, Christ, our Bridegroom, will shut that door, and once closed, no human power can reopen it. This is the unique privilege of the Church (exemplified by the Philadelphia church), who will then witness the unfolding judgments on earth from the safety and perspective of Heaven.

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

In our next study, we will move to the next viewpoint. But as we wait, the most important question remains: are you prepared to meet the Lord? Participation in the Rapture isn’t about having the right chart or timeline; it is about being born again into the family of God. If you aren’t sure, please know that you are not here by chance. God is reaching out to you today. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the Bride of Christ when He calls us home to meet Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 47

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the timing of certain events and how we describe the ‘near future.’ We often throw around the word imminent… just what does that mean? As I have said before, the definitions I use come from Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. He defines it as: ‘Hanging over; impending; appearing as if falling or about to fall; threatening; near.’ When we look at it through Webster’s eyes, ‘imminent’ isn’t just soon—it is hovering right above us.

It saddens me to see how often the Body of Christ is divided over the timing of the Rapture. While many scholars argue for different timelines, I believe there is something uniquely vital about the pre-tribulation position: it is the only one that treats His return as truly imminent. Other views inadvertently turn our focus toward the appearance of signs, the Antichrist, or specific tribulations. But the pre-tribulation hope keeps our eyes fixed upward, knowing that He could come for His bride at any second.

Imagine a homeowner who receives a tip that a thief will be breaking through his front door at exactly 8:00 p.m. You can be certain he wouldn’t be caught napping; he would have the lights on, the doors barred, and his eyes glued to the window. He would be ready because he had a schedule. But what did Jesus say? He warned us in Matthew 24 that His return would be the ultimate disruption of our schedules. He won’t arrive on a timeline we’ve circled in red; He comes at an hour we do not expect, precisely to see who has stayed awake out of love and duty, rather than just reacting to a clock.

Matthew 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

In the ancient Galilean wedding traditions of Jesus’ day, the timing of the groom’s return was a kept secret; he could not go to retrieve his bride until his father officially declared that the wedding chamber was prepared. This cultural backdrop provides a perfect parallel to the pre-tribulation Rapture. Just as the bride lived in a state of constant, expectant readiness, we too look for a Savior whose return is not dictated by a calendar, but by the Father’s command. It is the ultimate ‘thief in the night’ scenario—a moment of joyous intrusion that catches the world entirely off guard.

Matthew 24:42-44  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  (43)  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  (44)  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

God is a God of specificity, often marking biblical events down to the exact day. We see this in the prophetic timeline of the Tribulation, which is meticulously mapped out with clear milestones. If the Church were intended to endure that time, the Rapture would no longer be a surprise—it would be an appointment at the end of a countdown. But we are called to watch, not to calculate. It is telling that the New Testament epistles are devoid of manuals for surviving the Great Tribulation; rather, they are filled with calls to find peace in Christ’s imminent return. We are told to comfort one another with these words, a task that would be impossible if we were first destined for the wrath of the seven-year scroll.

1 Thessalonians 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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

If the Church were destined to endure the seven-year Tribulation, Paul’s instructions to ‘comfort one another’ would seem almost cruel. How can one find comfort in the promise of unprecedented seals, trumpets, and bowls of wrath? The believers in the first century were no strangers to pain; they lived under the heavy hand of Roman persecution. Yet, in the midst of their daily trials, they found joy in the belief that Christ could return at any moment. This expectancy is our ‘Blessed Hope.’ It is the only message capable of providing true edification—the promise that we are not looking for the Antichrist, but for the Savior.

Scripture is far from silent regarding the days leading up to the Great Tribulation. From the ‘perilous times’ described in 2 Timothy 3:1-9 to the rise of scoffers mentioned in 2 Peter 3:3-4, the evidence is clear and mounting. Jesus Himself detailed these labor pains in Matthew 24:3-51 so that His followers would not be left in the dark. As we witness the convergence of these signs, we understand that our window of time is narrowing. The promise is nearing its fulfillment; lift up your heads, for the King is at the door.

Luke 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Jas 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

We live in a world of uncertainty, but your eternal destination doesn’t have to be one of them. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here today to hear this warning and this promise. If you are not already a part of the Body of Christ, the door is still open to be born again. Don’t you desire to be part of that glorious moment when the Church is raptured? Imagine the joy of meeting the Lord in the air and escaping the darkness to come. The invitation is yours—accept it today. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 27

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Bob Sabo

2 Peter 3:3-9  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  (4)  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  (5)  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  (6)  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  (7)  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  ( 8 )  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  (9)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

It’s such a blessing to be alive right now! Watching prophecy unfold in real time is incredible!! Every day brings a new event that points toward the Lord’s “any moment” return and the Rapture of His Church.

The verses for today couldn’t be more timely. We live in an era of constant ridicule—just a few minutes on social media makes that clear. The anonymity of the internet seems to give people a sense of permission to lash out and belittle others without a second thought. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines them as:

SCOFF’ER, n. One who scoffs; one that mocks, derides or reproaches in the language of contempt; a scorner.

The signs of the end times are all around us, pointing directly to the return of Jesus. From the rise of a one-world religious system to the increasing scoffing at conservative believers, the division is undeniable. While Christians face intense persecution abroad, we are seeing heartbreaking splits within our own families and churches here at home—intensified by the recent pandemic. If we’re seeing this much division now, imagine the world five years from today. I’d be curious to read this post then just to see how much more the “convergence” of these signs has accelerated.

I recently shared a post about salvation, only to be harshly attacked by a relative. She mistook my faith for self-righteousness, accusing me of feeling superior. Despite her church attendance, she is misled into believing her “religion” or membership might save her. Her real struggle isn’t with me, but with God’s Word. As today’s verse points out, many are “willingly ignorant.” The world’s scorn for the faithful is only going to intensify as the end approaches.

It’s amazing to think that Peter’s 2,000-year-old prophecy is coming true right before our eyes. The shift really accelerated in the 1800s when the world began turning away from the Flood and toward Darwinism. Thanks to Charles Lyell, people started believing the earth’s layers took millions of years to form, ignoring what the world had known for centuries about the Great Flood. Then came the Big Bang theory, pushed by Georges Lemaître and later icons like Carl Sagan. Even though it’s still just a theory, society has adopted it as fact, exactly as the Bible predicted would happen in the end times.

The scoffers aren’t just “out there”—they are sitting in our pews. Today, many “Christians” have compromised on the truth, accepting things like sex before marriage, homosexuality, and the confusion of gender roles. If it feels like society is falling apart and moral values have vanished, it’s because the world has completely rejected God’s design.

The most heartbreaking description of these scoffers is found in 2 Peter 3:4:

2 Peter 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

The division in the Church today is real, especially when it comes to the timing of the Rapture. Even among believers, we see the skepticism that Peter warned would characterize the last days. This “scoffing” doesn’t just create arguments; it steals the comfort and excitement we are meant to have while watching for the Lord’s return. Let’s not let doubt rob us of our hope!

1 Thessalonians 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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

True spiritual growth requires more than just sitting in a pew; it requires opening the Book. Without it, we remain “willingly ignorant” of God’s heart. Think of it in terms of survival—if your physical body relied on your Bible reading for sustenance, would you be thriving or starving? It’s time we stop neglecting the very thing that feeds our souls.

Be prepared! God has sovereignly placed you here for “such a time as this” so that you might experience His saving grace. I invite you to click this link to open the page “You Can Be Born Again and Know It” in a separate tab and discover the assurance of your faith.

Light in the Last Days – Day 13

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Bob Sabo

Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

I’ve found our study on the Rapture incredibly encouraging. Looking back to when I first discovered this truth, I saw it as a wonderful expression of God’s grace toward His own. While the unsaved face a future of divine wrath, His children are offered a magnificent hope.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Unbelievers are under the influence of the ‘spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,’ led by the prince of the power of the air. We see the fruit of this influence across our society today. The fact that Fairfax County, Virginia, recognized Transgender Day on the same day in 2024 we celebrated the Resurrection of Christ highlights the growing depravity of our age. This isn’t just a cultural shift; it is a biblical sign of the end times as outlined in 2 Timothy 3:1-9, calling us to a greater boldness in our faith.

Shifting our focus back to the Rapture itself, we have to address the most debated aspect: its timing. Though many believers who hold to mid- or post-tribulation theories have tried to discredit the pre-Tribulation Rapture, the specific timing revealed in the Word stands firm against those challenges.

Remember, the Old Testament revolves around God’s plan for Israel and the impending judgment, not the Church age. Interestingly, the Church is notably absent from the Book of Revelation from chapter four onwards, immediately following this verse:

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Scripture presents a striking difference between the timing of the Rapture and the events of the Tribulation. While Matthew 25:13
describes an arrival at an unknown time, Revelation 12:6 gives us a precise count of 1,260 days for Israel’s protection in the wilderness. This specificity in Revelation points to a scheduled period of judgment that differs from the imminent call of the Church.

Revelation 12:6  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The 1,260 days begin when the Antichrist stands in the Temple and declares himself to be God!

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  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.

This 1,260-day timeframe represents three and a half years—the halfway point of the Tribulation—which aligns perfectly with the prophetic timeline found in the Book of Daniel.

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

To understand the end times, we must see the Rapture and the Tribulation as separate occurrences. The Lord protects the Church from the Tribulation because that specific time of trial is meant to lead Israel to her Messiah. This period, known as Daniel’s 70th week, returns the focus to Israel after the current ‘pause’ for the Church. Transitioning into the seven most difficult years the world has ever seen offers no hope to those without the Savior; it is a time of judgment, not comfort.

Matthew 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

How can believers find solace in a future of martyrdom and divine judgment? They can’t—which is why the command in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 to ‘comfort one another’ points to a pre-tribulation rescue. Paul’s teachings in 1 Thessalonians are overwhelmingly positive, with an encouraging word about the Lord’s return woven into every chapter. Don’t just take my word for it; read and study these scriptures to see the magnificent gift God has prepared for you.

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Blessed Hope

On By KateIn Any Day Now, Devotionals, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

That “blessed hope” for born-again Christians is the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ! The believer is waiting to hear a shofar blast and the Lord calling us to meet Him in the clouds.

I have no idea what the world will see, if anything. Some Bible scholars say that Revelation 1:7 proves the world will see the Rapture in progress. However, if you read that verse in context, one can see that this verse is not referring to the Rapture but referring to the Lord’s Second Coming.

Rev 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Jesus is speaking to the seven Churches. The context has not changed. When speaking about His return, John says that Jesus is coming with clouds. The physical clouds cannot play a part in the Battle of Armageddon. But the Church and angels surely can.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The Bible does not go into what the world will see, but it does tell us that the change that will happen between the old body and the new body will be in the twinkling of an eye!

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Some believe the whole event from rising and meeting in the clouds will be in the twinkling of an eye, but 1 Cor. 15:51 says it’s the actual change between an earthly body to a heavenly body that will occur in the twinkling of an eye.

I thought that we would do a review of Scriptures and those that refer to the Rapture, directly or indirectly. As a believer of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, I read verses with that particular event in mind. They do not indicate whether it will be Pre-Tribulation or not, but they are most certainly encouraging to the believer who is longing for Christ’s return! Who knows … it could be TODAY! 

Php 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  (21)  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Oh what praise we will sing when we receive our glorified body!!!  I think of my dear friend who has suffered with fibromyalgia since the 1970’s! She will no longer be in pain but instead, she will be able to face eternity with that new body!! No more pain – no more suffering! What a day that will be!

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Are you encouraged yet? Just the thought of Christ’s appearing excites the spirit within me! It’s like looking forward to a wonderful vacation but MUCH better! It’s a vacation like no other! Why? Because our destination is in Heaven where perfection is beheld in everything! Here it says that when He appears, we shall appear with Him in glory!

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

Can you picture this? Christ’s glorious appearing is what every believer waits for with hope in his/her heart! If we were to go through the Tribulation, it would be extremely difficult to look forward to that blessed hope of seeing Him. Since it is a time of great suffering and tribulation that has NEVER occurred on earth, hiding, witnessing, and being safe would consume of our thoughts! We would be worried about where to hide, where to get our next meal, etc. Instead, we are looking for a blessed hope! Noah Webster defines hope as:

A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

Not only does Paul call it “hope,” but he tells us to look for the “blessed hope“!

Jas 5:7-8  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.  (8)  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Granted, James may have been speaking of the Second Coming, but the Rapture must happen before so we know it draweth nigh also! The Rapture is closer to us now than it was at the Apostle James’ time of writing. The believers’ patience awaiting the Rapture is so needed, especially living in the world we live in now. It encourages us to live righteous lives while we wait because we don’t know when Christ will come take to take us to Heaven. The time is close – at any moment. We need to be busy winning souls to Christ, friend! God placed you in the exact place where He wants you to be. He has put people around you who are desperately lost. Be busy with His work – share the gospel and lead others to Him so they don’t miss out on this glorious hope!

1Jn 3:2-3  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

On a side note, how much hope would I have knowing that I will have to live through the most tumultuous time since the Great Flood? How much hope would I have knowing that I will have to deny the mark of the beast and possibly be tortured/killed for it? Although I know that Heaven is my home and I will go there once I die, it would be frightening knowing this was my end. But instead, Paul said:

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

But I would have this hope if I was looking forward to Rapture! Amen? Unfortunately, most churches no longer preach about the Rapture at all, let alone the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. More than 28% of the Bible is about prophecy. Would you read only 72% of a novel? Of course not! When a Pastor doesn’t preach prophecy, he’s admitting that he does not have a stand on the subject or he’s afraid to lose members. They are not preaching the whole counsel of God. We Christians need to be encouraged to share Christ with as many people as possible and to share with them the same message of hope. The Rapture is what led me to Christ and I cannot be the only one. This is why I’m doing this series! There are people out there that get anxious, afraid or just downright angry when it comes to reading about the end times. I know someone who gets angry because of what the powers that be are doing to gain control of the world. He does not find peace knowing that God told us what would be happening in the end times. Instead, he gets angry. He prefers not to hear about the end times at all. I wonder how many are like him? I find great peace knowing what is to come because I know that the Lord intends for us to be comforted. Comforted, you may ask? Yes! Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 and 5:11 to “comfort yourselves”! When we are looking forward to the Rapture, we are encouraged to live righteously, and to share with others so they too can be taken up at the Rapture.

Psa 107:2  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

Does the Rapture excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Watch!

On By KateIn Any Day Now, Devotionals, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

I can remember the first time I ever heard about the Rapture and thought to myself what a wonderful gift the Lord is offering to His children!! He doesn’t offer anything but His wrath to the children of disobedience (the unsaved).

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The prince of the power of the air is none other than Satan. Unbelievers follow his teachings whether they recognize that or not. We are seeing his influence in our world even more so than times past. The opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics is proof positive of the enemy’s influence in our world. This is most definitely a sign of the times mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-9.

2 Tim 3:1-9  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  ( 8 )  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  (9)  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

So let’s get back on point on the topic of the Rapture. The most prevalent point to the Rapture is its timing. Mid and post tribulation believers have tried to discredit those who believe in the pre-Tribulation Rapture for years. But they cannot dispute the timing. There is most definitely a timing involved with mid and post Tribulation viewpoints. It’s not rocket science because we know the duration (seven years) and therefore can know the mid point (three and a half years) and the end of the Tribulation! The imminence of the pre-Tribulation Rapture involves:

  • not knowing when the Lord will Rapture His Church
  • busy doing the Lord’s work because our time is short; we don’t know when He will come but we keep busy telling others about salvation through Jesus Christ as well as discipling those who have come to faith in Him
  • constantly watching for the Lord’s return
  • seeing and recognizing the current events as a step closer to His return
  • encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ to keep going

Remember this, the Old Testament revolves around Israel and the judgment that is to come. The Old Testament doesn’t revolve around the church. The church isn’t even mentioned in the Book of Revelation after Revelation 4:1:

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

The church reappears in Revelation 22:16! When we search the Scriptures which talk about Christ’s return, we find verses that tell us we won’t know the day and hour. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time. But yet we read in Revelation 12:6, there is an exact number of days specifying how long Israelites will be nourished in a place that God prepared for them: God takes care of them in the wilderness for 1260 days. That’s pretty specific, if you ask me.

Revelation 12:6  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The 1,260 days begin when the Antichrist stands in the Temple and declares himself to be God!

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  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.

The 1260 days spoken of above are exactly three and a half years, which is in the middle of the Tribulation.

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

The Rapture and the Tribulation are two separate events. Jesus protects His Bride, the Church, from the Tribulation period which is to come for the purpose of opening Israel’s eyes to their Messiah.

Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The Greek word for “from” is “ek,” which means “out of”!

ἐκ, ἐξ
ek    ex
ek, ex
A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote):

The Church age comes to an end at the Rapture. The time of the Jews resumes. That is why it is called Daniel’s 70th week. Israel is the central point of all of the Scriptures. A pause during this timeframe was given for the Church age due to Israel’s blindness of their Messiah. No hope or consolation can be given to people who are about to go through seven years of the worse time in history!

Matthew 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

How can the Church comfort one another when they have to go through the judgments and martyrdom? (1 Thessalonians 4:18) The fourth seal in Revelation 6 reveals that a fourth of the population will die. The fifth seal reveals that Christians will be martyred. In fact, Revelation 13:6-7 shows us that the Antichrist overcomes the saints. Christ promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church. (Matthew 16:18) The Tribulation saints are not the church because the Antichrist will most certainly overcome the saints.

This period of God’s wrath is on the children of disobedience as we see in the opening verses. And to top it off, the Apostle Paul taught the most on the Rapture as a positive thing in 1 Thessalonians. Each chapter has at least one verse that encourages the believers of his day. Take the time and read – study!!!

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation?

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Rev 13:7  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.

Every era in time has brought persecution to the Church. However, these persecutions are nothing compared to what will happen during the Tribulation. Why? Because the persecutions of the past were due to the wrath of evil men led by the devil. However, the Tribulation is all about God’s wrath on an unbelieving Israel and a wicked earth.

Rev 6:16-17  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? 

Rev 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Some believers feel that the church will not be saved out of the time of wrath, but will be saved through it. Today’s verse, Revelation 13:7, tells us that those saints who are on earth during the Tribulation will not be delivered from wrath but will be overcome by the devil. The Church and those saints who are born again during the Tribulation are two different sets of Christians. The Church age ends with the Rapture. Those who are saved during the Tribulation are called Tribulation saints and they have to go through those horrific days. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 to comfort one another with the upcoming Rapture! If the Church is to go through the Tribulation, does this encourage you?

Look at today’s verse again:

Revelation 13:7  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.

These saints will be martyred by the Antichrist. If the church is to go through the Tribulation, that means that every born-again believer who enters the Tribulation will die – they will not go through the Tribulation. Furthermore, Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church!

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

To believe that the church will go through the Tribulation contradicts Jesus’ words in this verse!

The encouraging thing for the Church is that believers will experience the Rapture before the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins.

Luke 21:35-36  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  (36)  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Caught Up!

On By KateIn Any Day Now, Devotionals, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  (15)  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  (16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Christmas has passed and we have welcomed 2025. Could this be the year that the Rapture will occur? What does the Rapture represent to the born-again believer? It is a message of hope and excitement to all believers who are awaiting the Lord’s return in the clouds for His bride. Let’s cover what the word “rapture” means and where it is found in the Scriptures.

Although the word “rapture” doesn’t appear in the Bible, its concept does. It’s a term that describes the catching away of born-again believers from the earth. The term “caught up” in verse 17 is elsewhere translated “pluck” (John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.) We see another reference to it when Philip was snatched away after he witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch (Act 8:39  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.) If you followed my series on the attitude of mankind during the end times, you saw that we are in a time where the antichrist will come into power. This is a time that no born-again believer experience. It is also a time that you do NOT want to experience if you are not born again. Prior to the revealing of the Antichrist, the Rapture will occur: it can happen at any moment. It is imminent and you do not want to be caught unaware.

Since the New Testament was written in Greek, let’s take a look at the word “rapture” in Strong’s Concordance:

G726
ἁρπάζω
harpazō
Total KJV Occurrences: 18
caught, 5: Act_8:39, 2Co_12:2, 2Co_12:4, 1Th_4:17, Rev_12:5
force, 3: Mat_11:12, Joh_6:15, Act_23:10
take, 3: Mat_11:12, Joh_6:15, Act_23:10
away, 2: Mat_13:19, Act_8:39
catcheth, 2: Mat_13:19, Joh_10:12
pluck, 2: Joh_10:28-29 (2)
pulling, 1: Jud_1:23

It will help you if you look up each of these verses in your Bible to see the different uses. The Rapture represents being caught up, taken by force, taken away, plucked, and pulled away. The word “rapture” itself isn’t found in the English Bible. But, friend, neither are the words “bible” or “Trinity” found in the Bible. 😁 The concept and description of the rapture IS found in the Bible and, therefore, it’s worthy of study, amen? The word itself is derived from the Latin word “rapturo” which IS found in the Latin translation of the Bible.

If you are a born-again Christian, you may have heard of the various beliefs of the timing of the Rapture. It’s very important for the Christian’s walk to understand why it matters. There are three popular schools of thought of when the Rapture will occur: the pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and post-tribulation. Pre-tribulation is defined as occurring before the tribulation. Mid-tribulation is defined as occurring in the middle of the tribulation. And finally, the post-tribulation is defined as occurring after the tribulation. The latter two beliefs claim that the pre-tribulation rapture was “invented” only recently. However, historical proof shows that this was the belief of the Christians as early as third century AD. One of the writings was by Pseudo-Ephraim on this very topic:

All the saints and elect of God are gathered together before the tribulation, which is to come, and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins.

-Pseudo-Ephraem (c. 374-627)

We see that the pre-tribulation rapture was not invented in the past 150 years but in the third century! There was a very popular song published recently about the Tribulation period. The singer was interviewed by Tucker Carlson and this man believed that the pre-Tribulation Rapture theory was invented by John Nelson Darby. As we read in the quote above by Ephraem, we see that this is not true. The rekindled interest in the Rapture appeared in the 1800’s but it was most certainly not invented then. We will dig deeper and see that this was what was intended through the Scriptures!

The pre-Tribulation Rapture theory is the only one that gives hope and comfort to the believer! There is no comfort in knowing that the believer has to suffer the wrath of God.

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The wrath of God has always been to the unbelieving and disobedient people.

Eph 2:1-2  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph. 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col. 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

If you are a born-again Christian and have never studied this out, I hope you are blessed by it and encouraged in your heart. If you are not born again, I urge you to settle the matter right now! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 50

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Let’s review the different views of the Rapture. All but one of them involve Bible prophecy’s timing. Why is timing so important? If you were expecting your parents to come visit from 3,000 miles, you would be looking forward to it. You would be preparing the guest room, making plans to take them places, as well as planning meals.

Different views:

  1. Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
  2. Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
  3. Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
  4. Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

Today we are going to cover the viewpoint that says the Rapture will occur in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation period.

Mid Tribulation

The Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint believes that the rapture will occur at the last trumpet of the 7 trumpet judgments of Revelation 11. This belief says that the Church will live through the first three and a half years of the Tribulation.

Why do you think they believe that? They interpret Paul’s description in 1 Corinthians 15:52 “the last trump” to be the last trumpet of the judgment.

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

However, the trumpets of Revelation are judgment trumpets. There is nothing good about any of the seven trumpets. There is no blessed hope in them as they all involve judgment. Let’s take a look at them in Revelation chapters 8, 9 and 11:

  1. Trumpet #1 – Revelation 8:2 says that these trumpets were given to angels. Verse 6 tells us that it is the angels who will sound these trumpets. However we see here: 1Th 4:16-18  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
  1. The Lord Himself is the one who shouts and the Lord has the trump OF GOD. The Word says that “the trump of God,” which is a call of grace, calling the Church home. It is not a trump of judgment. This is the only time we see the phrase, “trump of God,” used in the Scriptures, both Old Testament and New Testament. It is not one of judgment. The first trumpet judgment brings hail and fire mingled with blood and one third of the trees and grass are destroyed.
  2. The second trumpet in verse 8 destroys one third of sea life and ships on the seas.
  3. The third trumpet in verse 10 destroys one third of the rivers and fountains of water and poisons them.
  4. The fourth trumpet in verse 12 darkens one third of the sun, moon and stars.
  5. The fifth trumpet in 9:1 releases the first woe which opens the bottomless pit and the horrible effects of the demonic locusts.
  6. The sixth trumpet in verse 13 makes releases the second woe which releases the four angels bound in the Euphrates who kill one third of all mankind. It is here where the Two Prophets preach and do miracles.
  7. The seventh trumpet is found in 11:15 which reveals Christ’s reign to come.

Lastly, the seven trumpet judgments do not contain the last trumpet in Revelation. The last trumpet was spoken of by Jesus and is actually found in Matthew 24:31 where Jesus sends his angels out to gather his elect “from one end of HEAVEN to the other” at his Second Coming.

Mat 24:31  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.

This verse refers to Christ’s Second Coming to earth with His Bride. This trumpet is used to sound a call to the Bride to gather together with Him for the final battle.

So we can see that there is no comfort in this viewpoint as pointed out in Paul’s writings about the Rapture:

1Thess 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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

The comfort for the Bride, the Church, is knowing that we will be spared the Trumpet Judgments. Judgment is for those who have not received Christ as their Saviour. Judgment is for those who disobeyed God’s Word:

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now let’s look at the timing of the Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mat 24:50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

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

Luk 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Notice that NO ONE knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return for His Bride. When the Father tells His Son to go get His Bride, it will be like the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five had oil (the Holy Spirit) and five did not. The five who were sealed unto the day of redemption went into the marriage and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10) This privilege was for the Church as shown us in Revelation 3:7:

Rev 3:7  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

The door to Heaven is the Shepherd’s door for His sheep; the sheep who knew His voice. The sheep that He knew by name. (John 10:3, 27) Once we are raptured, that door is shut by Christ alone, the Bridegroom. No man can open that door after it is shut. This privilege is given to the Church (the Philadelphia Church). They will witness from Heaven all the judgments which will come upon the earth.

Rev 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

We will cover the next viewpoint in the next post. Are you ready for the Rapture? You must be born again in order to participate, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 47

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Imminent … just what does that mean? As I have said before, the definitions I use come from Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. He defines it as:

IM’MINENT, a. [L. imminens, from immineo, to hang over; in and minor, to threaten. See Menace.]
Literally, shooting over; hence, hanging over; impending; threatening; near; appearing as if about to fall on; used of evils; as imminent danger; imminent judgments, evils or death.

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

The timing of the Rapture is argued in Christian circles, I am sad to say. But the pre-tribulation Rapture is the only one whose timing is imminent. The other views depend on signs to occur.

If a man knew that a thief was going to come to his house at 8:00 p.m. on a given night, he would be prepared. But what did Jesus say?

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Just as in the Galilean weddings of Jesus’ day, the groom did not know when he was going to return for his bride until his father told him he could go. How perfectly that fits to the pre-tribulation Rapture! Jesus’ return is as a thief in the night. No one will expect Him at a given time!

Mat 24:42-44  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  (43)  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  (44)  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The Tribulation period is filled with timing: it’s seven years long; the Antichrist defiles the temple after three and a half years, etc. Since we do not know the timing of the Rapture, it makes sense that it would occur before the Tribulation. It can’t possibly happen after the Tribulation, because then we would have a time. God is specific throughout the Bible, even to the day! Because of this, that is why He tells us to watch!

No where in the New Testament Scriptures do we find suggestions on how to prepare to live through the Tribulation. Instead, we are told to comfort one another.

1 Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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

Why would Paul tell the Thessalonians to comfort and edify one another if they had to go through the Tribulation? There is no comfort in knowing about the horrific things that were going to happen during those seven years! The beginning of the Church was not a time of peaceful existence but was a time of great persecution. Because they believed that the Rapture could happen at any time, they were encouraged to comfort each other as they waited for the Blessed Hope. (Titus 2:13)

One point I’d like to make is to those procrastinators out there. If you knew that Jesus would come at a certain date, you would wait until the last minute to get into “spiritual shape.” You would wait to witness to that lost relative. HOWEVER, because you do not know the time of His return, you stand ready because you are always watching!

You may have come across those who believe that the pre-Tribulation Rapture is a new theory invented in the early 1800’s. However, they stop there. The have not researched any further into earlier writings. Recently, biblical researchers have found several writings from early Church fathers who clearly held a pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

The First Epistle of Clement, 23 (written around 96 A.D. by Clement, a prominent leader of the church at Rome who knew some of the apostles personally and probably is the Clement referred to in Phil. 4:3): “Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, ‘speedily will He come, and will not tarry.’”

As early as 70 – 180 AD, The Didache, chapter 16, section 1, says, “‘Be vigilant over your life; let your lamps not be extinguished, or your loins ungirded, but be prepared, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come.”

“But what a spectacle is that fast-approaching advent of our Lord, now owned by all, now highly exalted, now a triumphant One!” (Tertullian 155 – 245 AD).

All the saints and elect of God are gathered together before the tribulation, which is to come, and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins” (Pseudo-Ephraem (374-627 AD).

John Calvin, the reformer at Geneva during the 1500s and founder of the Presbyterian Church, made the following statements in some of his commentaries on books of the Bible: “Be prepared to expect Him every day, or rather every moment.” “As He has promised that He will return to us, we ought to hold ourselves prepared, at every moment to receive Him.”

The Westminster Confession, written by the Puritans of England during the 1600s, declared that men should “shake off all carnal security and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come.”

“I say, somewhat more because the dead saints will be raised, and the living changed at Christ’s ‘appearing in the air’ (1 Thess 4:17); and this will be about three years and a half before the millennium, as we shall see hereafter: but will he and they abide in the air all that time? No: they will ascend to paradise, or to some one of those many ‘mansions in the father’s house’ (John 14:2), and so disappear during the foresaid period of time.” (Morgan Edwards 1742-44).
I’m not much of a fan of relying on what scholarly men write about the Bible.

The Dark Ages (from about 450 AD to the 1600’s) were named for the condition of a spiritually dark world. Mankind was not allowed to read the Bible as it could only be interpreted by a priest. The Roman Catholic church was the universal church during that time. It was during this time frame that the church believed they were living during the millennium! This is called amillennialism and does not allow for a pre-Tribulation Rapture. It was not until the early 1600’s did we see premillennialism and the pre-Tribulation Rapture view reappear.

The “When” of the Rapture is the nucleus of the pre-Tribulation viewpoint. The Bible is its best interpreter. Scripture upon scripture, verse upon verse! The imminent return of the Lord Jesus to gather His Bride to Him is clear as you read the following verses:

Matt 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matt 25:1-6 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

Mark 13:33-37 Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Rom 13:11-12 Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

1 Cor 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

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

1 Thess 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1 Tim 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13 Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

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

Heb 10:24-25 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching.

Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

James 5:7-9 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Tribulation is preceded by many signs as seen clearly in Matthew 24:3-51, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and 2 Peter 3:3-4. That is why many believers today are sounding out the warnings of Christ’s return! His return is closer than when the Scriptures were written so look up for your redemption draweth nigh!

Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Jas 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!