Light in the Last Days – Day 17

Photography by Bonnie Cipriani

Recall our discussion on the vision in Revelation 19: as Jesus descends on a white horse, He is not alone. An army follows in His wake, distinguished by their garments of fine linen, clean and bright. We must then ask—who is this group following the Lord into battle?

According to Revelation 19:8, this fine linen represents the ‘righteousness of the saints.’ Only the Church, the Bride, is dressed in fine linen. All other references to Saints in Revelation are dressed in white robes only. This detail is crucial: if the Church is already in heaven, dressed and ready to return with Christ to battle the Antichrist, a post-Tribulation Rapture becomes logically impossible. The Tribulation is still technically ongoing at this moment, yet the saints are already appearing with Christ to wage war.

I repeat these Scriptures often because a true understanding of the end times requires looking at the entire Bible, not just a few scattered passages. As we study the whole of Scripture, we must ask: ‘To whom is this judgment directed?’ When we do, we find the comforting truth that the Church is exempt from the wrath to come.

God’s judgment on the unbelieving world is coming, but the Church will be kept from it by way of the Rapture. No judgment since the time of Christ has affected the entire planet simultaneously—until the one that is approaching. It is from this unprecedented time of trouble that Jesus promised to rescue His Church:

The wrath of God is not destined for those who are born again! Instead, His judgment is directed specifically toward the ‘children of disobedience’—those who have not received His salvation. We can truly praise the Lord for His mercy! 🙌

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!

Light in the Last Days – Day 15

Photography by Chris Michaud

Today, we are going to examine the post-Tribulation view—the belief held by some that the Rapture occurs only after the Tribulation has ended. When studying the Rapture and the Second Coming, the Bible must be our primary and final authority; we should rely on Scripture far above any human interpretation. With that in mind, let’s look at what the Word says regarding the Second Coming of Christ:

Revelation 19 is the only place in Scripture where these three descriptors—’fine linen, white, and clean’—appear together. To understand the meaning behind this, we should let the Bible provide its own definition:

Notice how the fine linen worn by the Saints is described as clean and white—symbolizing the righteousness granted to them. This isn’t a righteousness we earned ourselves, but one we received as a gift from Jesus Christ! In Him, we find our complete sanctification and the joy of our redemption.

Because the Church is clothed in Christ’s own righteousness rather than its own, we are the ones who will accompany Him during the Second Coming. We see this confirmed in Revelation 19:14, which describes the saints returning from heaven alongside their King.

According to Revelation 19:21, the ungodly are slain when Christ returns. If the Rapture happened at that same moment, all believers would be transformed into glorified bodies, leaving no one in a natural state to fulfill the prophecies of a populated Millennial earth. Because there would be no mortal humans left to dwell on the earth, the post-tribulation viewpoint proves to be inconsistent with the requirements of Scripture.

The pre-Tribulation timeline perfectly explains who will inhabit the earth during Christ’s thousand-year reign. While the Church is already in glorified bodies, a new generation of believers will emerge during the Tribulation—led to salvation by the Holy Spirit through the 144,000 and the two witnesses. Those who survive until Christ’s return will populate the earth in its restored state. This also includes the remnant of Israel, who will look upon their Messiah and be saved at the moment of His return.

The conclusion of the age brings two very different outcomes: entry into the thousand-year reign for the faithful, and eternal separation in Hell for those who aligned themselves with the beast by taking his mark.

Does this settle this viewpoint in your heart, reader? It surely does me! To the one who is not saved, it is a different story. There is no peace to be found for the one who enters the Tribulation. 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!

Light in the Last Days – Day 14

Photography by Bob Sabo

I find so much joy in reviewing the truth of the Rapture—it truly bubbles up within me like a spring! As we continue exploring the many reasons why the Rapture must occur before the Tribulation, we come to a beautiful piece of evidence: the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Did you know that when Jesus returns at the Second Coming, He is described as returning from a wedding feast? We find this in Revelation 19:7-8. By looking at traditional Jewish customs, we see that the marriage supper takes place before the marriage is finalized. It all begins with a marriage contract and the drawing up of a dowry, establishing the covenant between the groom and his bride.

Applying this to the Church, we see that the ‘contract’ begins the moment we put our faith in Christ. The dowry required for this covenant was Jesus’ own life, which served as the full payment for our redemption. This beautiful parallel reinforces the truth that salvation isn’t earned by our works—it is solely possible through the life and finished work of our Saviour.

In traditional Jewish custom, when the wedding day arrives, the groom travels to the bride’s home unannounced. She comes out to meet him, and he joyfully escorts her back to his father’s house. This mirrors the Pre-Tribulation Rapture perfectly: Jesus, our Groom, will descend from Heaven to the clouds to call up His Bride, the Church. After meeting Him in the air, we will return with Him to His Father’s house in Heaven. While the world below faces the Tribulation, the Bride will be safely home celebrating the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Just as a Jewish bride and groom are revealed to their community after the wedding feast, Jesus will present His Church to the world at His Second Coming. Scripture describes Him returning with an army arrayed in ‘fine linen, white and clean.’ This public revelation of the King and His Bride is the climax of the prophetic timeline! Glory to God! 🙌

Take a moment to consider the timing of the Marriage Supper. Scripturally, it happens before the Second Coming described in Revelation 19:14. Because Christ is shown returning with His Bride, the wedding festivities must have already concluded in Heaven. This serves as a powerful evidence for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

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!

Light in the Last Days – Day 6

To imagine living in a time where biblical prophecies are actually shifting from “future events” to “current headlines” is both sobering and awe-inspiring. This shift began with Israel becoming a nation on May 15, 1948! (See Ezekiel 11:17, 37:22, and Jeremiah 31:10) It suggests a world where the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is narrowing. For the believer, this isn’t a cause for panic, but a signal to wake up and recognize the weight of the moment. If you’re not born again, I pray that you will be disturbed enough by what you read that it stirs your heart to be saved!!

Today’s verses talk about the wrath of the Lamb that is to come. What is this wrath? Who is going to suffer this wrath? The Lamb is Jesus Christ, the ultimate Judge and Redeemer, and when His judgment upon this earth begins, there will be no turning back; no opportunity for repentance. Each judgment will be worse than the one before, and will come more rapidly, creating fear and despair among those left behind. Jesus spoke of this time as birth pains, illustrating the inevitable and intense nature of these forthcoming tribulations. Just as a woman’s labor pains intensify and come closer together, so too will the end-time events unfold with increasing severity and frequency, overwhelming the world with chaos and a great suffering never seen before. The Rapture of the church will have already happened, a moment of great hope and salvation for believers, and those who remain will find themselves entangled in a horrific time on this earth like no other, known as the Tribulation. This will look like something out of a sci-fi movie but, friend, it will be reality. This intense period is called the time of God’s wrath upon the earth, His response to the unrepentant hearts of mankind. It has been prophesied from the Old Testament, where warnings were issued through the prophets, all the way through to the last book in the New Testament in the Book of Revelation, reinforcing the call for all to recognize the signs and prepare for what is inevitably on the horizon.

It is true that history is marked by cycles of suffering. From the Roman arenas to modern-day conflicts like the killing of Jews and Christians, faith has often been tested by fire. However, the argument here is that these events, while terribly tragic, were “geographically or culturally contained.” They were “shadows” of a larger, global event yet to come.

Mid-Tribulation and Post Tribulation believers say that Christians will go through half or all of the Tribulation. However, this doesn’t jive with the Scriptures because the Tribulation saints won’t be delivered from the wrath but will be overcome by it.

Proponents of the Pre-Tribulation view argue that Mid and Post-Tribulation theories fail to account for the fundamental nature of the seven-year period.

  • The Promise of Deliverance: The Church is specifically promised that it is not “appointed to wrath” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). If the Tribulation—from the very first seal—is defined as the “wrath of the Lamb,” then the Church must be removed before it begins.
  • A Different Mandate: The Church is promised that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” yet the Tribulation saints are described as being overcome by the beast (Revelation 13:7). This suggests two different groups under two different divine missions.

The fate of believers during the Tribulation stands in distinct contrast to the destiny of the Church. Scripture explicitly states that the Antichrist will be permitted to “make war with the saints and to overcome them” (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7). Their victory is not found in physical escape, but in faithfulness unto death. In contrast, the Church is told to look for a “Blessed Hope”—the imminent return of Christ to rescue them from the “hour of trial” (Revelation 3:10).

The term “saints” simply means “holy ones” or “believers.” Mid and Post-Tribulation views often assume “saints” always refers to the Church. However, the Pre-Tribulation view argues:

  1. The Church is Absent: After Revelation chapter 3, the word “Church” (ekklesia) is never mentioned again until the very end of the book.
  2. A New Group: The “Tribulation Saints” are those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb after the Tribulation has already begun. (Revelation 7:14) They endure the wrath that the Church was specifically promised to avoid. As well, their robes are made white. The Bride’s (the Church) robes are made of fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)

We are told in the Scriptures that, just as in Noah’s day when God shut the door to the ark, that God will shut the door after the Rapture and no one will be able to escape the Tribulation. Jesus described it in the Parable of the Ten Virgins also. These passages refer to a door being open and shut. When God shut the door to the Ark, Noah and His family were protected. When God shuts the door after the Rapture, the Church will be protected from the wrath of the Lamb.

Once the door is shut, no one can enter. Those who are alive at the time appointed by God to Rapture His Church, will be kept from the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole earth. All other times of persecution during history did not occur upon the whole earth, but just parts of it. The antichrist will be in power in order to cause havoc upon the entire earth. The Church has been taken up in the Rapture. The word “church” occurs 80 times in 79 verses in the King James Bible. It is found only seven times in the Book of Revelation and only in chapters 2 and 3; the word churches appears at the end of Revelation. It is not mentioned once in between those chapters. Once Jesus opens the door to Heaven to Rapture the Church, that door is shut and no one can open it. It is done at that point.

The Apostle John was given the opportunity to see and hear what would happen during the Tribulation. God called him up through an opened door. This is indicative of the Rapture of the Church. We now see that the following chapters now refer to the Jews. The Jews rejected Christ at His first coming and the Gospel of Christ was entrusted to the Church until Christ came at the Rapture. After this event, the Jews will come back into the picture and will ultimately see Jesus Christ is their long-awaited Messiah!

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!

Supporting the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

Today’s picture reminds me of Christ’s coming in the clouds to Rapture His Church! It is such an exciting thought, amen? I meditate on this event every day and long to see Jesus and forever be with Him! Today’s post is a bit long but I promise a blessing (at least it was for me) when you read the part about the Jewish wedding

To truly understand the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint, one must understand that Christ’s next return occurs in two separate occasions, not just one. One appearance is in the clouds (to take care of His Church) and the second is His return to earth in Israel to take care of His people. The Church and Israel are two separate “people”! This is where other viewpoints get confused. Replacement theology is a belief that the Church replaced Israel when Israel rejected Christ’s first coming. They are not studying the Scriptures like good Bereans to make sure that what they are being taught is in line with the Scriptures. The Bereans studied these things out for themselves: and so much more should we, Christian!

Act 17:10-11  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Bereans: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  (11)  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The Apostle Paul teaches us about the “mystery” of the Rapture more than any other. The word mystery is 22 times in the King James Version, and all are in the New Testament. It is first spoken in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ being opened to the Gentiles (see Romans 11:24-25, 16:25, 1 Cor. 2:7, Eph. 1:9, 3:3-4, 3:9, 5:32, 6:19, Col. 1:26-27, Col. 2:2, 1 Tim. 3:9, 3:16).

We can be just as studious because we have those very Scriptures to study so we can learn about this mystery! What a blessing this is, especially in times like these. The world as we once knew it twenty years ago is now gone. In its place is a more evil world than we have ever seen. We are called to witness to others about the salvation of Christ. While we accomplish His task, we are to encourage one another about this wonderful and blessed topic of the Rapture. The mystery of the Rapture is an encouraging topic for the believers in the Church because it gives us hope – it encourages us – it teaches us that we are going to be cared for just as God took care of Noah and Lot!

1 Co 15:51-54  Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

What is the Apostle Paul saying here? He’s saying that the dead in Christ will get their new bodies as they are taken up into the air (their spirits went to be with Christ upon the death of their earthly body). Those which are living when the Rapture occurs will receive their immortal body as well. Why is this so important? The body, flesh and blood, dies (corrupts) and cannot go into eternity because the body cannot live forever. However, the new body that we all receive while we go up to meet Jesus will not die or decay but will live forever! Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us. Just as we discussed on my last post where Lot was removed from Sodom and Gomorrah before its destruction, and Noah and his family were saved, so will Jesus come for us and physically remove us from this earth before God’s wrath is released on the entire world.

Joh 14:1-3  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (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.

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 “hour of temptation” in Revelation 3:10 means “ hour of trial.” So believers will be kept from that trial which will come upon all the world! Scripture makes it clear there are two separate returns. The first coming of Christ (the Rapture) is clearly not Christ coming to the earth; instead we will meet Him in the air. It is a time that no man knows the day or hour; it will come as a thief in the night. Anyone who has been robbed can tell you that they were not prepared for it. It happened quickly and at a time that was unknown to them.

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.

1Th 5:2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Proponents of the post-Trib Rapture state that this “thief in the night” is at the end of the Tribulation. But how can that be when there is a definite about of days that the seven-year Tribulation contains?

This “day of the Lord” occurs in the air – in the clouds, not here on the earth. This is when He comes to get His Bride (the Church comprised of born-again believers) to take her to His Father’s house. When does it happen? It happens like a thief in the night. The Second Coming of the Lord, however, is when He comes here to the earth, in Israel, and His bride will be with Him. (see Revelation 19:14) Therefore, we have to already be in Heaven before this happens. Only the Bride (the Church) is clothed in fine linen, white and clean because we are made clean by the Blood of the Lamb! When Christ comes to earth to wrap up the Tribulation period, He returns with us! On top of that, it is seen by all! It is not a mystery or a secret as the Rapture is.

Rev 19:7-8  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.

Rev 19:11-15  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.

Only Christ’s blood can make us clean from sin, amen? (1 John 1:7) The angels cannot be the ones comprising Christ’s army because they are not washed clean by the blood of Jesus. The Word doesn’t say that they will be with Christ and His Bride, but angels certainly are not made clean by the Blood of the Lamb. Revelation 19:8 says that it is the righteousness of the saints – the Church is made righteous by Jesus Christ, and Him only. Do you see why you have to read your Bible so you can be encouraged by the Scriptures??? Therefore, the army here is the Bride of Christ. Those who claim this do not compare scripture with scripture and make sure there are no contradictions in their viewpoint.

Friend and reader, how can we be raptured at the end of the Tribulation, prepare ourselves, attend the marriage supper of the Lamb, then return to earth to fight with Christ? This makes no sense when viewing the Rapture occurring at the end of the Tribulation. Let’s look at the Jewish wedding in biblical times. The sequence of the wedding will give you an idea of the comparison with the Rapture and when it occurs.

There are seven phases from the betrothal to the actual marriage consummation!!! Doesn’t this bless you? As you know, the number seven symbolizes perfection. What a blessing! The phases are:

  1. The father of the groom made the arrangements for the marriage and paid a price for the bride. The Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to pay for the bride with His blood. (1Co 6:20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1Co 7:23)  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
  2. The bridegroom goes back home to prepare a place for his bride. (Joh 14:2)  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. (Joh 14:3)  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.
  3. The father of the groom determined the timing of when the bridegroom would return to get his bride. The bridegroom did not know the exact time. (Mat 24:36)  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (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.
  4. The bride is consecrated and set apart. 1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  5. Once the father of the groom gave the go ahead, the bridegroom would go to where the bride was. The groom returns with a shout. (1 Th 4:16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout. He then takes his bride to his home. (1 Th 4:15-17)  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.
  6. The bride and groom go to the wedding chamber. The bride and groom stay in their chamber for seven days. Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” Praise the Lord! Scripture tells us that a prophetic day can equal a year. (see Num. 14:34) The seven days the Jewish bride and groom spend in the wedding chamber appear to equate to seven years of Tribulation. Dan 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. The antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation.
  7. After seven days/years, the marriage feast occurs. Jesus returns to earth on a white horse with His Bride to have victory over the earth. Rev 19:11-14  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.
  8. Lastly, after the Battle of Armageddon, Jesus reigns in Jerusalem for 1,000 years, known as the Feast of Tabernacles, where He “tabernacles” with man during the Millennial Kingdom!

Now that you have read about the Jewish wedding, do you not see that the Rapture cannot occur at the end, or even in the middle? The Groom and the Bride go into their wedding chamber for seven days/years (during the seven year Tribulation)!

You can now see that the Rapture and the Tribulation are two separate events; make no mistake about it. No hope or consolation can be given to people who are about to go through the worse time in history!

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

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!

Who is the Army?

Rev 19:7-8  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.

When Jesus returns in Revelation 19, an army follows Him. He is riding on a white horse, and His army is clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. But who exactly is this army?

In Revelation 19:8, the Scriptures say that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-Tribulation Rapture view because the Tribulation has not yet ended.

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

The Church is the one that is clothed in fine linen, white and clean as we saw in Revelation 19:8 above. This is the righteousness of the saints, which cannot be earned because the Church has received Jesus Christ’s righteousness. Here are several verses that confirm this:

1 Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We see here the righteous are those who placed their faith in Jesus Christ! The saints are going to be the ones coming with Christ to wage war. One cannot base a viewpoint on Scripture’s teachings on just a few verses. This is why I repeat myself, and quote Scriptures throughout. One must take ALL of Scripture into account. One must determine who the judgments are meant for. It is clear that the church is not under judgment.

Rom 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

IF there is no condemnation for the Church, then why would the Church go through seven years of tribulation and condemnation?! The Church, through the Rapture, will be kept from this judgment that God will impose upon all the unbelieving world. Since Christ went to Heaven, there has not been any judgment that has come upon the entire earth. Horrible events have occurred in various places, but not upon the entire world. Jesus promised to keep His church from that time:

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.

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

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:

The wrath of God does not come on those that are born again! The wrath of God comes specifically for those “children of disobedience,” which are those who are not born again. Praise the Lord! \o/ 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!

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Pre-Trib vs. Post-Trib Rapture?

Some churches teach that Jesus will come back for the Rapture of the Church after the Tribulation, known as the post-Tribulation Rapture. The Bible should be our only source of information on any topic dealing with the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. To listen to a man’s findings should be the last thing we turn to. The verses listed below are about the Second Coming of Christ.

Rev. 19:14-17  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) 

The only time the words “fine linen, white, and clean” appear together are found here in Revelation 19. Let the Bible interpret itself:

Revelation 19:8  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.

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

Notice that the Saints are clothed in fine linen, clean and white for their fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. The Church does not possess its own righteousness but has received the righteousness of Christ! We are also sanctified through Him and are redeemed!

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Therefore, those who have received the righteousness of Christ (the Church) will come back with Him at the Second Coming, as we see in Revelation 19:14!

At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus kills all the ungodly, as we see in Revelation 19:21. If the Church would receive their new bodies at the Second Coming, who would populate the earth during the millennium? There would be no living human beings left to do so. Therefore, it stands to reason that this viewpoint does not jive with Scripture.

The only belief that fits this viewpoint of the timing of the Rapture is when it occurs before the Tribulation. Then, during the Tribulation, souls will come to salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit through the two witnesses and the 144,000. Those who do not die for their faith, and remain until Christ’s return to earth, will be left to populate the earth. The Scriptures also say that all living Jews at the Second Coming will be saved as they see their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Those who make it through the tribulation go into the Millennium period; but those who took the mark of the beast are cast into hell.

Revelation 19:20  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.

Does this settle this viewpoint in your heart, reader? It surely does me! To the one who is not saved, it is a different story. There is no peace to be found for the one who enters the Tribulation. 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!

Return from the Wedding

Luk 12:36  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

We’ve been going over the various reasons supporting the Rapture of the Church occurring before the Tribulation begins. The marriage supper of the Lamb is one of those reasons. When Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation for His Second Coming, He will be returning from a wedding. So let’s look at Revelation 19:7-8, where we read about the marriage supper. According to Jewish custom, the marriage supper takes place before the marriage. First there is a marriage contract, which includes a dowry. That dowry is drawn up first.

Rev 19:7-8  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.

How can we apply this to the Church? The contract is a comparison to when we trust Jesus to be our Savior. The dowry is His life, which was used to purchase our salvation. Nothing we do can ever be enough to take us to Heaven. Only Jesus’ life can do this!

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

When it’s time for the wedding, the groom goes to the bride’s house, unannounced. She comes out to meet him, and then he takes her to his father’s house. This fits perfectly with the Pre-Tribulation beliefs. Jesus, our Groom, comes down from Heaven to the clouds and calls up the Church, His bride. After meeting His bride in the air, the Groom and the bride return to His Father’s house which is Heaven. (Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) The marriage supper itself will take place there, while down here on earth the judgments of the seven-year Tribulation will be playing out.

After the marriage supper of Jewish tradition, the bride and groom are presented to the world as man and wife. This corresponds to the time when Jesus returns to earth at His Second Coming, accompanied by an army “clothed in fine linen, white and clean”!!! Glory!!! \o/

Rev 19:8 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.

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

The marriage supper of the Lamb occurs before He returns to earth at His Second Coming! Think about this for a moment. It occurs before Revelation 19:14 when Christ returns with His Bride. It fits perfectly with the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint. The post-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint cannot possibly by correct because that means they would be raptured and have the marriage supper THEN come back to earth with Jesus at the Second Coming! Who would be left to populate the earth during the millennium if all believers were raptured before the unbelievers are destroyed at the Lord’s Second Coming? It’s evident that this viewpoint cannot be correct.

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!

Any Day Now – Day 22

Today’s picture reminds me of Christ’s coming in the clouds to Rapture His Church! It is such an exciting thought, amen? I meditate on this event every day and long to see Jesus and forever be with Him! Today’s post is a bit long but I promise a blessing (at least it was for me) when you read the part about the Jewish wedding

To truly understand the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint, one must understand that Christ’s next return occurs in two separate occasions, not just one. One appearance is in the clouds (to take care of His Church) and the second is His return to earth in Israel to take care of His people. The Church and Israel are two separate “people”! This is where other viewpoints get confused. Replacement theology is a belief that the Church replaced Israel when Israel rejected Christ’s first coming. They are not studying the Scriptures like good Bereans to make sure that what they are being taught is in line with the Scriptures. The Bereans studied these things out for themselves: and so much more should we, Christian!

Act 17:10-11  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Bereans: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  (11)  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The Apostle Paul teaches us about the “mystery” of the Rapture more than any other. The word mystery is 22 times in the King James Version, and all are in the New Testament. It is first spoken in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ being opened to the Gentiles (see Romans 11:24-25, 16:25, 1 Cor. 2:7, Eph. 1:9, 3:3-4, 3:9, 5:32, 6:19, Col. 1:26-27, Col. 2:2, 1 Tim. 3:9, 3:16).

We can be just as studious because we have those very Scriptures to study so we can learn about this mystery! What a blessing this is, especially in times like these. The world as we once knew it twenty years ago is now gone. In its place is a more evil world than we have ever seen. We are called to witness to others about the salvation of Christ. While we accomplish His task, we are to encourage one another about this wonderful and blessed topic of the Rapture. The mystery of the Rapture is an encouraging topic for the believers in the Church because it gives us hope – it encourages us – it teaches us that we are going to be cared for just as God took care of Noah and Lot!

1 Co 15:51-54  Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

What is the Apostle Paul saying here? He’s saying that the dead in Christ will get their new bodies as they are taken up into the air (their spirits went to be with Christ upon the death of their earthly body). Those which are living when the Rapture occurs will receive their immortal body as well. Why is this so important? The body, flesh and blood, dies (corrupts) and cannot go into eternity because the body cannot live forever. However, the new body that we all receive while we go up to meet Jesus will not die or decay but will live forever! Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us. Just as we discussed on my last post where Lot was removed from Sodom and Gomorrah before its destruction, and Noah and his family were saved, so will Jesus come for us and physically remove us from this earth before God’s wrath is released on the entire world.

Joh 14:1-3  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (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.

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 “hour of temptation” in Revelation 3:10 means “ hour of trial.” So believers will be kept from that trial which will come upon all the world! Scripture makes it clear there are two separate returns. The first coming of Christ (the Rapture) is clearly not Christ coming to the earth; instead we will meet Him in the air. It is a time that no man knows the day or hour; it will come as a thief in the night. Anyone who has been robbed can tell you that they were not prepared for it. It happened quickly and at a time that was unknown to them.

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.

1Th 5:2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Proponents of the post-Trib Rapture state that this “thief in the night” is at the end of the Tribulation. But how can that be when there is a definite about of days that the seven-year Tribulation contains?

This “day of the Lord” occurs in the air – in the clouds, not here on the earth. This is when He comes to get His Bride (the Church comprised of born-again believers) to take her to His Father’s house. When does it happen? It happens like a thief in the night. The Second Coming of the Lord, however, is when He comes here to the earth, in Israel, and His bride will be with Him. (see Revelation 19:14) Therefore, we have to already be in Heaven before this happens. Only the Bride (the Church) is clothed in fine linen, white and clean because we are made clean by the Blood of the Lamb! When Christ comes to earth to wrap up the Tribulation period, He returns with us! On top of that, it is seen by all! It is not a mystery or a secret as the Rapture is.

Rev 19:7-8  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.

Rev 19:11-15  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.

Only Christ’s blood can make us clean from sin, amen? (1 John 1:7) The angels cannot be the ones comprising Christ’s army because they are not washed clean by the blood of Jesus. The Word doesn’t say that they will be with Christ and His Bride, but angels certainly are not made clean by the Blood of the Lamb. Revelation 19:8 says that it is the righteousness of the saints – the Church is made righteous by Jesus Christ, and Him only. Do you see why you have to read your Bible so you can be encouraged by the Scriptures??? Therefore, the army here is the Bride of Christ. Those who claim this do not compare scripture with scripture and make sure there are no contradictions in their viewpoint.

Friend and reader, how can we be raptured at the end of the Tribulation, prepare ourselves, attend the marriage supper of the Lamb, then return to earth to fight with Christ? This makes no sense when viewing the Rapture occurring at the end of the Tribulation. Let’s look at the Jewish wedding in biblical times. The sequence of the wedding will give you an idea of the comparison with the Rapture and when it occurs.

There are seven phases from the betrothal to the actual marriage consummation!!! Doesn’t this bless you? As you know, the number seven symbolizes perfection. What a blessing! The phases are:

  1. The father of the groom made the arrangements for the marriage and paid a price for the bride. The Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to pay for the bride with His blood. (1Co 6:20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1Co 7:23)  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
  2. The bridegroom goes back home to prepare a place for his bride. (Joh 14:2)  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. (Joh 14:3)  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.
  3. The father of the groom determined the timing of when the bridegroom would return to get his bride. The bridegroom did not know the exact time. (Mat 24:36)  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (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.
  4. The bride is consecrated and set apart. 1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  5. Once the father of the groom gave the go ahead, the bridegroom would go to where the bride was. The groom returns with a shout. (1 Th 4:16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout. He then takes his bride to his home. (1 Th 4:15-17)  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.
  6. The bride and groom go to the wedding chamber. The bride and groom stay in their chamber for seven days. Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” Praise the Lord! Scripture tells us that a prophetic day can equal a year. (see Num. 14:34) The seven days the Jewish bride and groom spend in the wedding chamber appear to equate to seven years of Tribulation. Dan 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. The antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation.
  7. After seven days/years, the marriage feast occurs. Jesus returns to earth on a white horse with His Bride to have victory over the earth. Rev 19:11-14  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.
  8. Lastly, after the Battle of Armageddon, Jesus reigns in Jerusalem for 1,000 years, known as the Feast of Tabernacles, where He “tabernacles” with man during the Millennial Kingdom!

Now that you have read about the Jewish wedding, do you not see that the Rapture cannot occur at the end, or even in the middle? The Groom and the Bride go into their wedding chamber for seven days/years (during the seven year Tribulation)!

You can now see that the Rapture and the Tribulation are two separate events; make no mistake about it. No hope or consolation can be given to people who are about to go through the worse time in history!

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

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!

Any Day Now – Day 17

Photography by Bonnie Cipriani

Rev 19:7-8  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.

Good morning, reader! As we discussed in a previous post, when Jesus returns in Revelation 19, an army follows Him. He is riding on a white horse, and His army is clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. Who is this army?

In Revelation 19:8, the Scriptures say that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-Tribulation Rapture view because the Tribulation has not yet ended. We see here the saints are coming with Christ to wage war.

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

One cannot base a viewpoint on Scripture’s teachings on just a few verses. This is why I repeat myself, and quote Scriptures throughout this whole series. One must take ALL of Scripture into account. One must determine who the judgments are meant for. It is clear that the church is not under judgment.

Rom 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Church through the Rapture will be kept from this judgment that God will impose upon all the unbelieving world. Since Christ went to Heaven, there has not been any judgment that has come upon the entire earth. Jesus promised to keep His church from that time:

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.

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

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:

The wrath of God does not come on those that are born again! The wrath of God comes specifically for those “children of disobedience,” which are those who are not born again. Praise the Lord! \o/ 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!