signs of the PreTriblation rapture

signs of the pre-Tribulation Rapture

 

By Pastor Mike Taylor

19, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
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.
21, For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:19-21)

“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.” (Isaiah 57:1)

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:  They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.  Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;  but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.  Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26-30)

“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.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3)




There are many who have doubts about the above subject when speaking of the “catching away of the Church” the Body of Christ. Although not a salvation issue, they fail to understand biblical prophecy or refuse to look at it and have the Holy Spirit teach them, by revealing what Paul called a “mystery”. Why did Paul call it a “mystery”?...It was a well known subject about the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ throughout the Old Testament prophets that spoke of the “Day of the Lord” coming in great wrath to deal with a rebellious God rejecting earth and it's nation dwellers, but the lesson that Paul preached was not revealed until Jesus our Lord revealed it to Him in a revelation when Paul was taught personally by Jesus Christ. What are Paul's well known words?


“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.” (1st Corinthians 15:51-54)

Without knowing Jewish life and customs, one would make the mistake of linking the 7th trumpet blown by the angel in Revelation and think this is the trumpet Paul speaks of. One would fail to realize that Paul is making a reference in several passages to a well known “Feast of Trumpets” where trumpets are blown in succession until a “Last Trumpet” is blown and gives one reason to believe that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will be on a future Feast of Trumpets fulfilling that first festival in the autumn, just as the Feasts of the Lord has been fulfilled in the spring, on the very day of their observance.

But you can speak of verses that point to a “catching away” of the body of Christ, and folks will not believe it, and even get angry and belligerent over something that would be glorious for any Bible believing Christian. Why would not everybody embrace a teaching, searching if it be true and be elated and joyful in discovering that it is all over the Bible. I even have members in my own family when given the truth of the Bible will not believe. Why does something so wonderful and mind boggling to the spiritual heart bring such feelings and displays of anger from “rapture deniers”? I would only pray that they would take the evidence presented, lay it beside their bible and do what any good Berean would do and search the scriptures to see if these things be true.

FALSE REASONS TO DISBELIEVE:

#1.The Church never taught such a doctrine

This is their first argument and then point to a Scottish girl's dream/vision, of Margaret McDonald, and taken up by one John Darby into a “new” doctrine referring to the “rapture of the church”. They argue that it is a new doctrine that came into being and taught as truth by a deceived young girl, and a preacher of heresy. But are they right? Was the concept of the “Harpazo” interpreted as the catching away of the Church, a new doctrine, or was it a resurrected doctrine that had it's roots even far back as the 1st Century of the Church? By doing a simple Google search, you can find the writings of early Church Fathers that support a belief, even from the time of St. John the Apostle of the concept of a Pre-Tribulation removal of the church from God's coming wrath upon this earth. I won't go into great detail here, for lack of space and time, but the evidence is free for the seeker of the truth about something our Lord Jesus, Paul the Apostle, John the Beloved taught and passed down to their disciples from the 1st century and even into the 3rd century under increasing Roman persecution and finally Roman Catholicism's attempt to eradicate the belief...you can read their writings online and a brief explanation of their teachings here:


 http://beginningandend.com/what-did-ancient-church-fathers-believe-about-the-rapture/


Understand, that their teachings and writings are not to be equal with Divine Truth as the Bible is, but it shows their understanding and discernment of what the Bible taught. It is my firm belief that the doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation rapture was squashed and hidden away for almost 1500 years because of the “Dark Ages” of the Roman Catholic Church and its rule as it interfered with their lust for power upon the earth. So the doctrine was re-introduced by the likes of John Darby and many evangelicals down through the last 200 years speak of a doctrine that has it's roots even in early Christianity and it's Church Fathers, as it is not a new doctrine at all.
#2The Bible doesn't speak of a rapture event.

Oh, but it does.....just not in a verse that you can point to for definitive proof. No, the Bible has it sprinkled all over the OT and the New Testament and the wise reader of the Bible mines it like gold and silver searching for the truth as precious metals or diamonds. What does the Bible say we must do and what must we discern from it's pages?

“Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Those who are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts,
10, For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little;
11, For with stammering lips and foreign tongue He will speak to this people.” (Isaiah 28:9-11)

All one has to do is take a cup of coffee, sit down in a comfortable chair and read where God has given us the puzzle picture of what His plan is for mankind. I want you to go and read verse after verse of Bible passages that speak of a time when God's people will be removed from this earth...go here:https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-The-Rapture/

If I were to quote every scripture that points to a “mystery” that Paul spoke of in his epistles and spread out all over the Bible, I'd be doing part 1-4 on this subject. I've investigated, preached, and believed in everything I have written concerning the “Catching away” of God's Church and have asked God many times to correct me, if I speak anything but the Truth of His Word. I never have wanted to speak falsely about prophecy and have sought the Lord many times for His correction if I be in error. Only thing that has happened down through the years is God has NOT corrected me, He has re-enforced it in my spirit by His Holy Spirit and confirmation in His Holy Word that what I preach, is TRUTH and lines up with God's Word.

#3.The Bible speaks of angels gathering His elect:

Another reason for unbelief of my brethren is a passage found in the Gospel of Mark. It speaks of a time when Jesus said, He will come and send His angels to gather “His elect” from the four winds of the earth. This is at the end of the Tribulation.

“And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” (Mark 13:27)

But notice that Jesus goes right into an explanation of the Parable of the fig tree...who are the subjects our Lord is speaking to and about in this passage? The answer is Israel. In the Old Testament, God calls the Hebrew nation of Israel His elect, His chosen people. When Jesus came and died on a cross, the beginning of the Church Age began when Jesus sent God's Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and the Church members were called “saints”. To be born again makes you a child of God and a saint by adoption into His Family. But notice in Revelation that the word “church” is not used, not one time after chapter 6 and never again until chapter 19 when those depicted as being clothed with linen white and clean (a sign of the saints or the Church) come with Jesus riding on white horses. Those who are saved in the Tribulation will be gathered together who have died as martyrs for Christ and they are “the Elect” who the angels gather. Now some take issue that the angels are gathering only the living to bring them all to Zion in Jerusalem. That is probably part of it, but there may not be many Jewish  people left, or people at all left, but a remnant to be gathered...what I believe is also gather, as we were gathered and changed into immortal beings at the rapture, these who have died in martyrdom will be changed into immortal beings as we were and this is also part of the end of the 1st resurrection.    They have been under the altar of God waiting for their brethren to be slain as they were...they were not given immortal bodies until this resurrection. Folks may not see it that way, and that's OK..because God will gather His elect either living or dead from the 4 winds. They will be in the majority of Jewish birth and an Israelite. There will be Gentiles that will believe based on the 144, 000 Jewish evangelist and their preaching God's Word and many will be saved and they too, will be regarded as the “elect” at the coming of our Lord to set up His Kingdom. Now I can hear those who are scoffers, saying that the “church” is also the “elect”..and that would be true, but there is a distinction between those saved in the Church Age, and those who are saved in the Tribulation.

Those saved in the Age of Grace will be Kings and Priest to God and our Lord Jesus Christ for His 1000 year reign on earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords. Those who are saved in the Tribulation will be servants in the New Temple of God, but not Kings:

“9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
 10 And they cried out in a loud voice “Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb.”
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 
12 saying “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
15 Therefore,“they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.” (Revelation 7:9-15)

Notice the difference? They are servants of God in His Temple, much like the Levitical priesthood. They have palm fronds in their hands, (I believe a symbol of the nation of Israel) and they came out of the Great Tribulation as martyrs and died for their faith, because they did not accept it by faith not seeing, but accepted when the evidence was plainly in front of their face and seeing it first hand. They do not receive the same rewards as the Church Age saints and it's blessings.
#4, Jesus does not come back till the 7^th trumpet of God:

I find this so sad, that a large portion of the denominations in this world, have followed the teachings of the Catholic Church, that there is no removal of the church, and that everyone, saved or unsaved will be subject to the horror of the Tribulation, and it's even more horrific Great Tribulation. As briefly mentioned above, many in modern day Christian churches link what Paul said in 1st Corinthians about the “last trump” and automatically start looking for another “last trump” and logic tells them that the 7th trump that the angel blows to release the bowl judgments is the same trumpet that Paul speaks of.

Notice the difference between the two events. The one Paul speaks of brings incredible and unspeakable joy to those who are looking for the return of their Lord God, Jesus Christ. The 7th trumpet of Revelation brings unspeakable and horrifying death and destruction on all who have denied Jesus Christ and have taken the “mark of the beast”. 

I want to draw your attention what Jesus made clear by speaking to the Apostle John in Revelation 3, but many read right over it and don't understand the verse in Greek, the original language of the New Testament and the prevailing language in John's day:

10Because 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.

11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:10-11)

Many don't understand what Jesus was referring to here. Obviously, if you read the passage, Jesus is telling John about the coming Tribulation. But notice a phrase in verse 10...”Keep thee from”? If you look at the original Greek, the word is “EK”..a short preposition that gives the passages it's meaning...let's looking it up.

According to Strong’s concordance the Greek word ek is a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause); literal or figurative.” It can be translated “from” “out of” or “away from.”

So if you take the Lord God Almighty at His Word, then He is telling John that He will remove those who have kept His Word, away from the coming event...that event is the Tribulation. Where will He remove us from the time and the event? Read the opening verses that started this message.

MORE clues that the Church is not on earth during the Tribulation:::

Notice also, that the “saints” are not mentioned again until chapter 19 of the final book of the Bible.

“6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (my emphasis)
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:6-9)

Notice verse 8 that “fine linen” is a symbol of the saints of God, the Church of the Living God. Thus we are ushered into a time of unspeakable glory and honor because of our faith and trusting in the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But that is not the end of the story...

“11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:11-14)


We, as His people, His Kings and Priest have been at a “marriage supper of the Lamb” to be joined spiritually with her betrothed, Jesus our King of kings. To be adopted as “children of God”.

“16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:16-17)

And one of the most symbolic, but definitive example of the Church being in heaven with our Lord God, is the 24 elders spoken of in Revelation 4.

“4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.” (Revelation 4:4)


I've seen some labored reasoning of who these elders are...obviously, they are human, not angelic, as no angel has ever received a crowns of gold and a throne to sit upon. Notice the attributes of these who sit around the throne of God? They are the number 24, a multiplication of the number 12 which is a sign of government. They are representative the saints of God in the Old and the New Testament. They are clothed in white raiment, a sign of righteousness. They are seated, so they are at rest from their labor and are seated upon thrones. They have crowns and have been rewarded for their service to God by our Lord Jesus Christ, at the Bema Judgment seat for this service. It can be no mistake to give these 24 elders the designation of the Church saints who have overcome the world and are seated around God's throne. And from this time, until chapter 19, you will see no mention of saints or church.


Also note that there is an invitation from the Bride and the Bridegroom at the end of this powerful book of prophecy:

“17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

Who is the bride and her Bridegroom calling to? I believe they are calling to those who were not ready for the return of Jesus in the Age of Grace. They are calling to all who have not given their heart and life to Jesus. They are both together and giving a call to join them. Obviously, in my mind, there is still time to join them in human time. That would give the belief that the Bride has gone on before those she and her Bridegroom are calling to.
AS WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH

Jesus made a point to compare our time with the days of Noah and of Lot. Jesus said things would be going on as normal, eating, drinking, giving in marriage...you know, living your life without worrying about the judgment of God coming upon you...that is until, as it was in Noah's day and in Lot's time, when Noah was in the ark, and Lot was removed from Sodom, judgment fell that very day. The world was destroyed by water and fire and brimstone fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah. To each that were caught up in this judgment, they had no idea that their destruction was at hand.


In our time, the world continues on like there is nothing to worry about. They're not looking for Jesus to come. They are too busy being what Paul described would be this world that we live in:

“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.” (2nd Timothy 3:2-7)

If this warning by Jesus concerning our day would be like the days of Noah and of Lot, would it be a usual day at the end of the Tribulation? Would Jesus coming be as a thief in the night, unaware of the population who wallow in sin and degradation? The coming of Jesus for His Church will be a complete surprise. Nobody but believers will be watching and living for God expectantly of the coming of their Lord Jesus.

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2, For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3, For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4, But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5, Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” (1Thessalonians 5:1-5)

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so shall those who are in darkness say “peace and safety” and then sudden destruction. Will it be without warning? Yes, without warning. But what of the coming of the Jesus to set up His kingdom..? Will it be a day, just like any other day? Will they be going about their usual daily routine, or will it be death and destruction, signs in the heavens, environmental disasters, and the death of nearly ¾ of all living human beings and other living things? How could it be any happiness in a world like that? The world will just be trying to survive, until Jesus comes and destroys all rebellion on this earth and wipes it clean of it's sin. The explanation of what Jesus said can only be applied to his first coming in total surprise, like a thief who breaks into your house. You weren't expecting him either, until your belongings are missing and your back door caved in.

“9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1st Thessalonians 5:9-11)

“13 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.” (Titus 2:13-14)


Those who read and digest what I have written here, and read and compare scriptures that I've posted on other websites, if taken prayerfully and asking God for His Holy Spirit to reveal to them the truth, then I believe you will become a Pre-tribulation rapture believer as well. But you must put away your bias and your pre-conceived notions that you were taught even from an early age in your own denomination. But in the end, why does it matter? What it does do for those who are diligently looking for Jesus, is to get their life and actions before God, right in His eyes. They are not speaking “false Christianity” but putting their faith and their very lives into the hands of their Savior, Jesus Christ. Those who are just playing around, thinking they are saved for every reason known to organized religion except in the One and the only One who can save their souls and deliver them from the wrath to come.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17, God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

Reader, don't put it off another day. Jesus Christ return for His church is imminent...meaning at any given moment without warning. If you don't believe in your heart the above verse found in John and repent of your sins, and follow Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, then you will experience the fear that will grip you, when you realize what I've written is true....if you scoff, and don't believe, can you take that chance? Believe on Jesus today.

“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2nd Corinthians 6:2)


This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for your salvation before the wrath of God falls upon this earth. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at realteam1999@sbcglobal.net, or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com, God bless you all.

                                       TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET

THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT

THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT

 

by pastor Mike Taylor

47 “The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 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.” (1^st Corinthians 15:47-54)

The above opening verses describe a reality that many of us will experience, I believe soon in this time of the end of this age. It describes the 'Harpazo” or the forceful removal of the church from this earth in a instant, or the twinkling of an eye. Some people just cannot wrap their minds around such a concept. Many don't believe what the Bible shows us to be truth.

Paul was the first to make this known to the world, as it had never been taught before Paul called it a “mystery” or something not revealed in the past. The prophet Isaiah approached the doctrine in chapter 26, when he described the coming of the Lord to those in his time period.

19 “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

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.

21 For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:19-21)

I've noticed that as you read Isaiah, much of the words the prophet writes lines up with the prophecy that John wrote in the final book of your Bible or Revelation of Jesus Christ. But until Paul fleshed out the concept and actually addressed the coming of the Lord for His church, then many people who read the Old Testament couldn't see what Isaiah was saying.

A FIRST CENTURY BELIEF

I've spoken of the doctrine that was believed in the 1^st Century church but was squashed in the Middle Ages by the ruling theocracy of a “church” whose main goal was power and authority over other men. The doctrine was revived in the 19^th century, as the Reformation gave men the ability to discern through God's Holy Spirit what the Words of God written actually meant. This doctrine was written for our time, not when it was written, as we are the last generation before Jesus comes again.

I've always believed that the Bible clearly teaches a Pre-Trib (HARPAZO) rapture of the church, not because I look for a so called “great escape” as some scoff, but because I embrace the belief that it is “Victory in Jesus” and that the church is not appointed to wrath that falls on this earth starting in Revelation chapter 6 all the way through chapter 19 of the destruction in Divine retribution of those who are in rebellion against Almighty God and God judges them as His patience has come to an end.

The Bible clearly teaches a Pre-Tribulation rapture that puts the last days and the Tribulation into context that is consistent with the overall flow of Bible prophecy.

That is the only reason I teach and believe in the removal of God's church prior to the Tribulation as it makes no difference to me if someone else does not believe in the doctrine and embraces another point of view, as the timing of the rapture plays no role in our salvation. Of all the doctrines of the Bible, this one is hotly contested among “brethren” who do not believe what they read, or fail to discern the meaning of the Words.

We are saved by faith through grace and the person believes that He is coming again, as promised, and will keep all of the many other promises that are spelled out in your Bible, including being an Advocate before the Righteous Judge of all the earth.

The believers faith is in the scripture that I so love to quote and believed as a small boy that God the Father sent His Son into the world to save all who come to Him.

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

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

But,( there's that word) the timing of the rapture of the Church is central to the understanding of the overall BIG picture of the last days.

We are in the last days and it is a different era than the coming Tribulation period. The “last days” are used throughout the whole of the Bible in the context of the “Church Age” that we are now coming to the end of the period known also as the “Age of Grace”.

It all began at Pentecost when the newly indwelt by the Holy Spirit apostles rushed from the upper room to the street proclaiming the salvation of God and the population thought they were drunk.

 "Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But THIS IS THAT WHICH was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass IN THE LAST DAYS saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" (Acts 2:13-17)

The last days that we speak of is the Age of the Church that we are living in and near at its end, whereas the 70^th week of Daniel prophecy is called the “Time of Jacob's Trouble also known as the Tribulation. These are two different “dispensations” of God and it is central to the understanding of the times that we now live in.

The apostle Paul referred to this age, as the “dispensation of the grace of God”.

2 “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:2-4)

Paul called the conclusion of this present time the “Dispensation of the fullness of times”.

9 “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9-12)

DISPENSATIONS OF THE BIBLE

During our current dispensation, believers are indwelt by God's Holy Spirit as the Apostle John reminds us:

2 “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1^st John 4:2-4)

Note the context of what John speaks of? The spirit of anti-Christ is already in the world, even in John's day, but this spirit cannot overcome the Church saints, because He Who dwells in us (The Holy Spirit) is greater than the spirit of anti-Christ.

But this same prophet, writing of the same Anti-Christ who will come in the flesh during the Tribulation will over come the saints says:

"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." (Revelation 13:7)

Since the Apostle John wrote both passages, and they cannot be simultaneously true, the flow of the Bible is interrupted if the Church Age is concurrent with the Tribulation.

I've spoken of this in past messages, that if the 'Anti-Christ' is given power to overcome the saints, will he also be given power to overcome the Holy Spirit? Since John tells us that He (Jesus) had overcome the world, the Anti-Christ cannot overcome those who have God's Holy Spirit, but John tells us that he will overcome the saints. So the only explanation is that those who are saints in the Tribulation are not sealed with God's Holy Spirit and are not the church, but Tribulation saints. The Holy Spirit will still be moving, but each saint must guard their salvation to the very end as they will not be sealed with a guarantee of their salvation.

This is showing that God is not given the Anti-Christ power over Himself, the Holy Spirit of God. That leaves two possibilities apart from the Pre-Tribulation rapture in an analysis of the passage.

The first is that Jesus lied to us, that He would come to us and never leave us and we would always have the Comforter, that is until the tribulation comes and the Comforter would be withdrawn from the Church or the vessels He indwells and leaves them on their own to battle the Anti-Christ. Now we know that Jesus is God and does not lie, and He said He would NEVER leave us or forsake us. So strike that possibility.

The apostle Paul makes that clear that the Holy Spirit will be withdrawn back to Pre-Pentecostal manifestations on the earth, before the “WICKED' is revealed:

6 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

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

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:66-10)

The Holy Spirit is the power of God holding back complete evil overtaking this world, and He indwells each believer who has come to Christ Jesus and proclaimed by faith, their Savior. For when the Holy Spirit indwelled believers are removed, then Satan will be allowed to attempt to destroy all mankind and receive worship for himself.

For a pre-Trib Rapture to be a false doctrine means our generation was chosen out of all others in Church history to face the greatest spiritual trial the world has ever known --  without the Comforter that Jesus promised would indwell us until He comes. That is a biblical contradiction.

The second possibility is that John was either lying or mistaken when he said the spirit of antichrist cannot overcome indwelt believers.

In either case, the promises of Scripture are broken. Since we know that Scripture cannot be broken, and that Jesus never lied, as He was sinless, then the only possible explanation is that the Pre-Tribulation rapture is the Truth of God's Word.

THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE.

In all my years in the ministry, I have heard every explanation of why the belief in a pre-Trib rapture of the church is nothing but a “great escape” and scoff that it is a false doctrine. Those who misunderstand the clear meaning of God's Word have not had their eyes opened to the words of Paul as I have spoken of this great Mystery, that only Paul reveals the truths of “Grace through Faith” and the “Harpazo or rapture of the church” which until the Apostle Paul had never been spoken of in the Words of your Bible. That is why in each case, Paul calls it a “mystery” or something that had been hidden. I believe the One who opened the “mystery” to Paul was none other than our Lord Jesus when Paul was in the wilderness for 3 years being taught before he even showed himself to the other apostles in Jerusalem.

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But, its opponents will spare no effort to 'prove' that it is a false doctrine, as if the timing of the Rapture were somehow of eternal significance.  It is not.

The eternal significance of the Rapture is this:

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.” (1^st Thessalonians 4:14-18)

POINT AND COUNTER-POINT

Now with these two opposite opinions clearly in view, let us try and pull this all together by starting with the Words of Jesus in Matthew:

3 “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:3-6)

Jesus warned that there will be one who comes in his own name and will deceive many, as most of Israel will be fooled:

"I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." (John 5:43)

Even today, Israel has been looking for a “political messiah” much as they did in the time of Jesus

They have never believed up to this point that they needed a “spiritual Messiah” to save them from their sins, as they had the Law of Moses, even though we know the law kills and no one is able to keep the law perfectly. Jesus was the only “Man/God” on earth who ever did. It is why the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, as they were looking for a warrior King, much like King David to destroy the Romans. Jesus just didn't fit their pre-conceived notions of who their “Messiah” would be, as they needed a warrior, not a suffering servant who came to die for the sins of the world.

So if one looks at the coming Anti-Christ, should you be so unfortunate to actually see him in the flesh, then if he is standing on the ground, instead of meeting you in the air, then you will know that he is an imposter, no matter what magic trick he performs to attempt to deceive you.

In summary, the Pre-Tribulation rapture is NOT a “great escape” for the church, is is a necessary evacuation of the Holy Spirit's restraining influence and allowing Satan to have full sway of men and women upon the earth to deceive and destroy them. So since the Holy Spirit resides in each of the Church members, or the body of Christ as a deposit of future glorification, then with the Holy Spirit being withdrawn, so will every believer that has His Spirit residing within our spirit.

If you remove the doctrine and the removal of God's people from this earth in the coming rapture of the church, then the chronology of Bible prophecy is thrown into chaos.

Although the doctrine of the rapture of the church has no “salvation value” as we are saved by “Grace through Faith” not of works, lest any man should boast, it has no eternal consequences to anyone that they must believe in the Pre-Tribulation rapture. They can believe or choose not to believe in this doctrine, as it has no salvation attached to it. I find no particular need to convert a believer to my own understanding of the last days. BUT, I stress the doctrines, as those who have not come to faith in Jesus Christ will be faced with the coming horror known as the Tribulation and the even more destructive Great Tribulation that will destroy nigh 80-90% of all mankind. Prophecy is a great witnessing tool to those who are lost.

I believe those who are found in Christ, when the trumpet sounds and they realize that they are being taken to meet Jesus Christ in the air will be as I am, raising my hands and praising God, knowing that they have been wrong to reject the doctrine. I have people in my own family who fear the coming tribulation and what will happen to their children and other loved ones. Sadly, they have no blessed Hope of being removed from this planet before the wrath of God falls upon all who are left.

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.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11)

Our Risen Lord proclaims to the Apostle John when speaking of the coming Tribulation that He will remove each of us from this planet, not through the Tribulation as some believe, but completely away from the time and space of this coming event. I have proclaimed in the past of the Greek Word that tells us this in the phrase “will keep thee” which states to be forcefully removed from point A to point B away from the time period or place.

But those who fear the coming Tribulation who do not have the assurance that “we are not appointed to wrath”.

8 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

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

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1^st Thessalonians 5:8-11)

Yes, my reader, Jesus is coming soon and will catch many believers asleep, and the whole world will wonder where millions of people have gone to. The left behind leadership will attempt plausible excuses and explanations of what has happened, but they speak falsely and attempt to blind the masses to the “snatching away” of the Church of the Living God who has been their blessed Hope.

11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 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.” (Titus 2:11-14)

To re-emphasize I must restate that salvation is given by God as a gift of His grace. It is through faith in the finished work of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, when He shed His blood on a Roman instrument of death, the cross. His shed blood if full payment for our sins, and His resurrection is our guarantee of our future glorification to be just like Him.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 "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.” (1^st John 3:1-3)

SO WHY TEACH THE RAPTURE?

But I have said all this to answer the question, “Why teach a pre-tribulation rapture of the church?” Because without this doctrine that draws the Bible's prophecy into a coherent chronology of events, then Bible prophecy has no context, as without it, it makes no sense. I believe God has been most clear in the concept of the removal of the Church and I warn those who are playing church, warming a pew, or use the church as nothing but a social event, have missed the message of salvation and are doomed to endure, or most likely die in the coming Tribulation. 

Those whose eyes are opened by God's Holy Spirit feel the dread of being cast into the tribulation without God. And those who do eventually find God in the coming period of “Jacob's trouble” will most likely die a martyrs death. I warn those who are lost in their sins and have not made Jesus Christ, Lord of their life, changed their mind about God, repented of their sins, and asked Jesus into their heart and lives that there is coming a time that I would not want my worst enemy to endure. Not them and not you. The obligation to preach the Word of God in prophecy looking forward to the coming of our Lord for His Church and the beginning of the Tribulation is what I have been called to do. As a minister of Christ I can do no other.

Search your Bible, and be a good Berean and find out if what I have said is true. Ask God to lead you into all Truth...as Jesus said “Thy Word is Truth”.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2nd Timothy 2:15)

We are to study diligently, as it is our insurance of not being fooled by false teachers or false prophets and succumb to end time deception that Jesus said would be a sign of our times. As a Watchman on the Wall, I plead with you to look to Jesus now, the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Harpazo of the Church, (rapture) is close, even at the door, as Jesus will someday soon burst through the clouds and cry with a loud voice “Come up hither”.....WILL YOU BE READY?

This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you find Jesus before the Trumpet calls. If you need prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com of visit me online for more biblical messages from the Word of God. God bless you all