What is The Rapture? It is an event that will happen to all who put their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (both alive and deceased). Let’s allow the bible to explain the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18,
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (those who have given their life to Jesus and are now dead), that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope (apart from Jesus), for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (died) in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we (Christians) which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of (Michael) the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be ‘caught up’ (raptured) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
This event is called The Rapture. It is not The Second Coming of Christ. These are two separate events. Remember, The Rapture refers to us meeting Jesus in the air, and The Second Coming is when Jesus stands on The Mount of Olives at The Battle of Armageddon. Let’s continue reading 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8,
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him (again, referring to The Rapture), that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as the day of Christ is at hand.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
He is telling them that they did not miss The Rapture, and not to worry. This is very important in understanding the timing of The Rapture. Continuing in verse 3,
Let NO MAN deceive you by any means, for that day (Our gathering together unto Him at The Rapture) SHALL NOT COME except there come a falling away first, and that man of SIN (Satan) be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he (Satan) as God sitteth in the temple of God showing himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let’s look at when this man of sin (Satan) is revealed. It is when he sits in the Temple of God. This will be the third temple that the Jews will soon rebuild. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 says,
And then shall that Wicked (Satan) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.
2 Thessalonians 2:8
It is at the time when Satan is revealed that the church (true believers in Christ) will be raptured.
The book of Revelation is not just a book of judgements. It is a bunch of stories within the big story. Prophecies about things to come, things that have happened, the revealing of Jesus and many other things. God’s wrath does not start at Revelation chapter 6 it starts at chapter 16 of Revelation. It says,
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Revelation 16
Satan’s wrath comes before that, after the seventh trumpet (THE LAST TRUMP) has sounded, and after The Rapture. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 says,
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed, 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.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
This LAST TRUMPET is referring to the one in Revelation. Revelation 10:7 says,
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound (remember that the seventh angel has the LAST TRUMP), the mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets.
Revelation 10:7
The Bride of Christ will be raptured up in Revelation 11:15,
And the seventh angel (with the last trumpet) sounded; and there were great voices in heaven saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
This will be the first thing that happens after the seventh angel with the last trumpet begins to sound. Satan is then cast to the earth and has no more access into heaven, and the Bride of Christ is taken to heaven that same day. The seventh trumpet will continue to sound through the last three and a half years of a seven year covenant signed with Israel. Revelation 12:7,
And there was war in heaven: Michael (the Archangel) and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was there place found anymore in heaven. And the Great Dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation; and strength, and the kingdom of God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of the brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Revelation 12:7
Continuing in Revelation 12:12,
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he hath but a short time (three and a half years).
Revelation 12:12
Daniel 12:1 says,
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time (The Great Tribulation): and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book.
Daniel 12:1
If anyone teaches that The Rapture or Jesus’ return could happen at any moment, or that it is imminent, they are incorrect. This is a deception of Satan. Remember, Satan is the master of deception, and if it were possible, even the elect would believe him. The bible tells us not to be deceived! I believe that a lot of good, godly pastors have been deceived by this false teaching.
This is what the bible says about The Rapture… Remember 2 Thessalonians 2:1,
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him (referring to The Rapture).
2 Thessalonians 2:1
Continuing in verse 3,
Let NO MAN DECEIVE YOU by any means for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin (Satan) be revealed, the son of perdition.
2 Thessalonians 2:3
I am telling everyone this, not to discourage you, but to encourage you because we can see all of this coming to pass through the prophecies that The Holy Bible has given us.
We are living in the sixth trumpet era now! Right before the sounding of the seventh (last) trumpet. These are some of the things that we witness during the sixth trumpet era, before The Rapture takes place.
There will be a great war that will kill one out of every three people on the earth at that time. Revelation 9:18 says,
By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, by the smoke, by the brimstone…
Revelation 9:18
The Jewish Third Temple will be rebuilt, and the Temple Mount shared. Revelation 11:1 says,
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the Temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot 42 months.
Revelation 11:1
We are now living in the time when the world governments want to implant a chip into every person to monitor everything you do. You will not be able to buy or sell anything without this chip or mark of some kind.
There is an unholy trinity coming and is mostly already here. The Antichrist, The False Prophet and Satan will rule the earth the last three and a half years of a seven year confirmation of the covenant signed with Israel. Revelation 13:15-18,
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast shall both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in the foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had The Mark, or the name of The Beast, of the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of The Beast for it is the number of a man and his number is 666.
Revelation 13:15-18
Satan will have power to do whatever he wants during this last three and a half years.
We are all sinners in need of The Savior… Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. We need to ask Jesus to save us, and then we must repent of our sins. He is willing and ready to save all who call upon His Name!!! We are out of time! We will go to hell, forever in torment, apart from Jesus. Please accept His free gift of salvation. A gift that cannot be earned… but is by grace through faith.