Is the Rapture a secret catching up of the believers
before the Tribulation period starts,
OR
Is the gathering and 2nd coming of Jesus
something we should be expecting
at the end of the Great Tribulation?
I found a list of the 7 Reasons
to believe in a Pre-Trib ( secret ) Rapture,
instead of the Post-Trib Rapture
I've been defending on this channel for years.
The FIRST Reason stated is called "Imminency".
The idea that it will happen suddenly
without warning.
That we must be ready for a return
that could occur at any time
with no signs or warning.
It is likely that you have heard of this concept before.
It's been very popular the last 100 years or so.
Here we will look at the scriptures
used to support this interpretation,
and the points that are made
in reference to the passages quoted.
I will share why I believe
( and many others do to ),
that this interpretation is not valid.
It is my hope and prayer
that by presenting this information,
I can help other believers be better prepared
should we find ourselves
entering the Tribulation period
that precedes the Day of the Lord,
and the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.
Which we know from several clear passages
this going to be Visible to the whole world.
* Reference
Matthew chapter 24 verses 29-31,
and Revelation chapter 1 verse 7 *
We are told to be alert, sober
and watching
in many passages of scripture.
A closer look at the context and actual words used,
can help us to understand
what we are to be ready for,
and When to be ready
as defined in scripture.
This secret Rapture concept is taught by many.
I copied the LIST and scripture references used here
from the Dogeared Disciple channel,
1.
*Imminency of Christ's Return:*
- **Matthew 24:42-44**: Jesus emphasizes the need for constant readiness
because His return will be unexpected.
There is nothing unexpected or unknown
about the day Christ second coming.
It can be calculated to the day
by counting 1290 days from the day
the "abomination of desolation" is erected.
** My response to this is:
If you look at the Context
( all of Matthew chapter 24 ),
you will see no mention of a secret gathering.
And Jesus tells us
what we should be noticing
are the signs of His return.
Some ( most )
people on earth
will be surprised or confused.
The major will be unbelievers
who God will allow to believe the Lies.
Reference: 2 Thessalonians 2:11
And for this reason God will send them strong delusion,
that they should believe the lie,
But the followers of Christ are admonished
to be ALERT and on the LOOK OUT.
This applies to every believer
since Jesus ascended from the mount of Olivet,
until He returns
( descends )
at the same location as promised
Reference ( Acts 1:11 )
The Gathering in verses 29-31 of Matthew chapter 24,
is visible to all ( not a secret event ).
Immediately after the tribulation of those days
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from heaven,
and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven,
and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn,
and they will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of heaven
with power and great glory.
31 And He will send His angels
with a great sound of a trumpet,
and they will gather together His elect
from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the other.
Verse 33,
So you also, when you see all these things,
know that it is near—at the doors!
The point I'd like you to consider,
is the clear context of the words of Jesus
in Matthew chapter 24.
There is only ONE return
and ONE gathering of the Elect
we are to be waiting and watching for.
And there are no scriptures anywhere that refer
to there being more than one return of Christ.
NOW let's look at the next item mentioned
as a logical proof for a secret pre-trib rapture:
*** Calculating the 1290 days
referenced in Daniel 12:11
is a CLUE to be watching out for.
That is the point of the many of Jesus' parables.
You CAN KNOW that His return
is about to happen.
And this can give you hope
and encouragement,
since the World will be in
a state of CHAOS during this time.
This makes me think of the passage in
Luke 21 verse 25 - 28,
And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars;
and on the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity,
the sea and the waves roaring;
26 men's hearts failing them from fear
and the expectation of those things
which are coming on the earth,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud
with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to happen,
look up
and lift up your heads,
because your redemption draws near."
No mention of a secret pre-trib rapture in Luke chapter 21.
Instead we see in verse 36,
A clear instruction to the WATCHING for His Return
at the end of the time of Tribulation He spoke of.
36 Watch therefore, and pray always
that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things
that will come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of Man."
And in Daniel 12:11,12,
we are told we will be BLESSED for waiting until the end.
Nothing in Daniel about being "raptured" before it even starts.
And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away,
and the abomination of desolation is set up,
there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he who waits,
and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
*********************************************************************
Another suggested proof listed is:
These verses reference the Rapture.
- **1 Thessalonians 5:2-3**:
The day of the Lord will come "like a thief in the night,"
suggesting an element of surprise.
I disagree with this interpretation of the passage.
The Day of the Lord involves a lot more than just the Rapture.
And the CONTEXT reveals
those alert and watching will NOT be surprised:
Looking at 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 1 - 11
for more context and clarity,
We Read:
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren,
you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly
that the day of the Lord
so comes as a thief in the night.
3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!"
then sudden destruction comes upon them,
as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.
And they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren,
are not in darkness,
so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day.
We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do,
but let us watch and be sober.
7 For those who sleep,
sleep at night,
and those who get drunk
are drunk at night.
8 But let us who are of the day be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love,
and as a helmet
the hope of salvation.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath,
but to obtain salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us,
that whether we wake or sleep,
we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another,
just as you also are doing.
I would also like to point out ( from scripture ),
that Tribulation in our life is to be expected.
As Jesus says in John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you,
that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.
Tribulation in our lives is to be EXPECTED
( as well as persecution and suffering ).
But as a believer,
we will not suffer the wrath of God.
His wrath is clearly directed to the unbelievers,
and referenced as such in Revelation.
And the believer has Eternal Life
and will not undergo the ultimate WRATH of God ( or 2nd Death )
See here the words of John the baptist from John 3:36,
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;
and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God abides on him.
Revelation 20:6 we read,
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.
Over such the second death has no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Also in chapter 20 verses 14 and 15,
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.
15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life
was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21 verse 8,
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars
shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,
which is the second death."
I have a whole other Post / Video
on the subject of the Wrath
- what is means and who will experience it,
The Post:
The Video:
Is a Pre-Trib Rapture of the Church required to save believers from Wrath?
And there is one more point that was mentioned as proof,
that we need to consider:
- **Titus 2:13**:
Believers are to look for the "blessed hope,"
implying a continual expectation.
The doctrine of imminency, which suggests Christ could return at any moment,
is impossible to reconcile with a Post-Tribulation Rapture
that necessitates various identifiable events
during the Tribulation to occur first.
* Agreed.
The two sets of beliefs can't be combined.
A "secret" Pre-Trib Rapture does not fit with the doctrine ( set of beliefs )
supporting a Post-Trib return by Christ
and the gathering of His elect / saints / believers at that time.
I will take the remaining 6 "reasons"
and discuss them in future posts / videos.
When complete, I'll make a Playlist containing all 7 "reasons".
If you'd like to know more now,
Let me suggest this written post
Or this Video,
The Rapture How I went from Pre Trib to Post Trib
Thank you for making it to the end today.
I'll put all the LINKS in the video description.
Maranatha!
Saved by Grace,
Andrew Cross
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.Hebrews 10:23-25
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