The Tribulation and the Rapture

In some of his last words of the 1st Epistle to the Thessalonians,(5:23) the apostle Paul prays, “And may the God of peace sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” His teaching of the coming of Christ was imminent as he taught the church to be blameless in their body as well as the spirit anticipating his appearance.

In 1^st Thessalonians chapter 5 Paul gave a contrast of believers and non-believers natures (v. 5). The unsaved have a nature of darkness (they are of the night and darkness) they walk in darkness. Church saints have the nature of light (we are sons of the light, of the day) Christ and the Word is our light, so when we obey we are walking in the light. So we should not sleep as they do. Paul exhorts the believers to put on the breastplate of faith and love to live through the hard times. Also (v. 8) “as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” The reason for this hope he explains is God has not appointed us “the Church” to wrath (v. 9). He has already explained the resurrection in chapter 4 the teaching is now about the Day of the Lord (judgment). God has not appointed the Church to the Lord’s wrath. Instead the Church is appointed to obtain salvation, deliverance from that wrath (the tribulation) that is coming on the world culminating in Christ’s coming.

At the time of Y2K looming there were many prophecy watchers that thought this would be the downfall of Babylon (America?) that is destroyed in one hour in Rev.18. Yet they also said that the Anti Christ will be known afterward. Clearly the anti-Christ is revealed earlier as the mark of the beast is issued (Rev.13),  Revelation, as well as Mt. 24 is basically sequential. To say Rev.18 will take place in approximately the year 2000 would have put us right in the middle of the great tribulation now. I guess it wasn’t as disastrous as the Bible made it out to be. As we’ll see this can’t be accurate if we look at the judgments. In Rev.16 the Mt.'s are removed as well as the Islands. Being in Hawaii now we shouldn't be here for long. Well Y2k came and went without a tremor. Then it was the 9-11 terrorism that struck America’s shores and again those who think they know prophecy said this was Babylon that fell in day. Once again wearing egg on the face because they ran ahead of any true fulfillment. So many want to now fit 9-11 into some specific prophetic event.

Rom.1:18-19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” Because of unbeliever’s nature and relationship to the kingdom of darkness, they will experience the darkness and wrath of the Day of the Lord. By contrast, because of the believer’s nature and relationship to the kingdom of light, the Church will experience the coming hope, the blessed hope. The darkness and wrath period covers the entire 70th week that is withheld for the finale of mans government. The Church will be removed from earth before or around the 70th week beginning. It is the righteous that are taken, ^{the Bride of Christ may have to endure some but not the full impact of the Wrath of God...God’s wrath are for those who do not repent, not the repentant.}

The Biblical principle is that God will not judge the righteous with the unrighteous. He did it with Noah, he took out Lot out of Sodom, and He will do it for us.

In 1 Thess.5:4 Paul writes that the Church is removed before the day of darkness so that the Day of the Lord will not overtake them like a thief in the night. Since it initiates the judgment, God will remove the Church from the darkness not keep them through it.

The Thessalonians already had an understanding concerning the future Day of the Lord before Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to them (v. 2), but they were ignorant concerning the Rapture of the Church before receiving this letter (4:13-18). This indicates that the Rapture was not part of the subject of the Day of the Lord and therefore will be a different event from the Day of the Lord.

After Paul left Thessalonica some false teachers came in teaching a post-tribulational doctrine and stated that believers were now in the tribulation. That the day of God's wrath was upon them, that they had missed the rapture, but Paul corrects this with the 2nd letter. If this were true certain signs would be present. The Thessalonians mistook their persecution as a sign of the tribulation, something we still make the mistake of doing today. Obviously Paul had taught the Thessalonians that the Rapture came first. Because if the day of the Lord had come they would be “shaken and troubled” this would come from either they being left behind or they misunderstood Paul. Instead they would have welcomed the Great Tribulation as a necessary component prior to the second coming. We can only conclude from this that Paul had taught a pre-tribulation rapture.

Notice that Paul states in no uncertain terms in v.3” let no one deceive you by ANY MEANS; for that day will not come first unless the falling away (apostasy) comes first and the man of sin is revealed...”This is what he said to look for as just one of many signs to know when the day of Christ (resurrection) is near. “He who restraineth” is taken out of the way and then the wicked one (false Messiah) is revealed along with his false kingdom which brings the tribulation, “God’s wrath” on a Christ rejecting world.

The tribulation we as Christians are currently experience comes from a fallen world under the governing of Satan. The Tribulation that is coming is a test on the whole world at the end of the age, that will come from God’s hand against sin.

Why is this Great Tribulation coming? The Scripture states several purposes, to test all who dwell upon the earth (Rev. 3:10) that God might pour His wrath out upon the wicked (Rev. 15:7), to make an end to wickedness and the wicked ones Isa.13:9; Isa.24:19-20 this include both Jews and gentiles. Many seem to overlook that God is the source of judgment for the great tribulation on an unrepentant world not Satan.

To destroy those who destroyed the earth (Rev.11:18). After all this takes place God will resume reversing the affects of the destruction’s in the Millennium which will be a time where He will be present on the earth to rule and reign. For Israel, it is to break the will of the holy people and bring them to faith Rom.11.The Bible teaches that the tribulation is to prepare Israel for her restoration and conversion.

Not one Old Testament passage on the tribulation refers to the church (Deut. 4:29-30; Jer. 30:4-11; Dan. 8:24-27; 12:1-2), the New Testament never speaks of the church in relation to the tribulation only Israel. This is why it is stated they keep the commandments and the testimony of Jesus . Rev 12:17 “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring (Israel), who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Matt. 13:30, 39-42, 48-50; 24:15-31; Rev. 4-18). Those Jew’s saved in the tribulation will be Torah observant ones that came to the knowledge of Christ being the messiah.

The Church is clearly mentioned and addressed in the book of Revelation prior to the tribulation (chapter 1-3). Jesus addresses the then current churches in Asia specifically, having them representative of all the churches throughout the ages. Immediately the next chapter (4) switches to the a door standing open a voice like a trumpet and the lord saying to John the apostle “ come up here “and I will show you things which must take place after this. The message of Jesus to the Philadelphia church, who are the faithful and true remnant in the last days will be kept from the hour of trial coming upon the whole earth. He said, ' and I have set before you an open door which no man can shut.” Now this door is opened in Heaven, and the voice is as a trumpet, “Come up here. “ This appears to be the Rapture of the Church in the Book of Revelation or at least in type. The trumpet in I Corinthians 15:52 also gives the last call to the Church also saying, “Come up here.” I’m not saying this is definitely it, but very well could be.

After the tribulation runs its course the Church is mentioned again in chapters 19-22. But through chapters 6-18, which describe the tribulation period, the Church is not even mentioned once, as if she does not any longer exist. This begs an answer of where is the Church? Since in the chapters dealing with events prior to and after the tribulation she is mentioned and addressed. Outside the book of Revelation the scripture shows that any passage dealing with the tribulation the church is not mentioned. Those who find the church as a participant in the tribulation can only argue from silence. The book of Revelation shows Israel and the saints outside the church as participants in the judgments on earth. it is impossible for anyone to find a tribulation passage and to show that the church is a present along with Israel. Nowhere does the Book of Revelation speak about any divine preservation for the Church. The only divine preservation is for Israel and the 144,000 who are sealed with a mission. The saints mentioned are not church saints.

However there is a Church mentioned that does go through the tribulation. In Revelation 3:14-22 Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea. This church is rejected by the Lord and vomited out of His mouth because of their luke-warmness. This church goes into the entire 70th week because they think they are rich and have need of nothing, not even the Lord. The Laodicean church is not the true church but one that does not possess a true profession of faith. They are rejected by the Lord, and vomited out into the seventieth week. Yet the Lord calls individuals out of her.

The true church could not be present through the persecutions of the seventieth week and be lukewarm. The true church seems to be concluded with the Philadelphia church, which is removed from the earth before the tribulation begins according to the promise of Revelation 3:10.The false church which is left behind will become part of the one world religious system she is separated by the rapture.

1 Thess.1:9 mentions the wrath to come in the future. The believers are delivered from the future wrath against the world, just as in Noah's day.  

Jesus promises assurance to the church of Revelation 3:10: “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth. This testing will include “all power” and lying signs, wonders and miracles to deceive all who dwell on the earth.

There are “ false Christ's” that are found working in the tribulation (Mt. 24:24; Mark 13:22). The false Christ does not deny the existence of Christ but affirm that they are Christ; a substitute. They claim his authority his anointing as Christ and go around doing miracles. Their ministry is specifically to deceive the elect (if possible).

There are approximately 8 mysteries in the New Testament. A mystery is something that was totally unrevealed in the Old Testament, which is now to be revealed in the New Testament. For something to really qualify as a New Testament mystery, it must be something that has not been revealed anywhere in the Old Testament.

When the disciples on the mount of Olives asked the Lord about His coming and the end of the age they knew nothing of the church age, it was still a mystery to be revealed (Eph.3:5). This would be revealed after the Holy Spirit was given and the church was officially started.

Col.1:26 speaks of a present mystery has now has been manifested to his saints. that it was unrevealed in the Old Testament and revealed for the first time in the New Testament of Christ being in the believer.

There is another New Testament mystery, the revelation of God in Christ, There is another New Testament mystery, the revelation of God in Christ, 1 Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. This is the same word used for Paul when he says “behold I will tell you a mystery we shall not all sleep but we shall be changed” (Cor.15:51) by the sound of the last trumpet. This he is speaking of the rapture and resurrection as simultaneous events. In the same manner as Christ was received up in glory so will the believers.

As the world suffers these horrible judgments things life will no longer be as we know it on earth. God's wrath will literally consume the earth. As Jesus said Luke 12:49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.” People will convert paganism, calling on nature for their deliverance, mother earth have mercy. They will end up cursing God who controls nature and can be the only one to deliver them from its wrath.

The judgments are sequential and they increase in power until the end. In all these judgments they have the side of mercy, in that God calls out for the people to repent and be spared.

 

The Seal judgments

Rev.6:1-1st Seal the rider on the White horse rides to conquer. Contrary to those who see this rider as Christ in victory, He comes much later on a white horse later at his 2^nd coming, at the end of the judgments to slay all the wicked. This rider is a counterfeit because it is linked to judgment as with all the riders. The prince that shall come the Antichrist will come on a white horse, promising peace, copying Christ, but his ultimate goal will be to conquer through deception. He will sign a covenant of peace with Israel and the people of the world will say along with them “peace and safety” (1 Thess.5). Isa.28:14-15 This covenant Is made to guarantee their security but is called by God a covenant of hell.Dan.9:24-26 it is signed by the anti-Christ “the prince that shall come.” Mt.24:4 -5 gives the same type of warning about deception at the beginning of the Tribulation period. As Donald Barnhouse comments, “The one whose name is the word of God (Rev.19:11, 16) has on his heads many crowns. The horseman of the first seal wears no diadem. The false crown is the stephanos…the weapon of this rider is the bow. The lord of glory is quite differently armed. He carries “a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations ” (Revelation. D.G Barnhouse pp.121-122) (contrary to the horsemen in Zech.1:7-17, 6:1-8)

Rev. 6:3-4 2nd Seal Wars on earth. Peace will be removed from the earth when the second seal is broken. Revelation 6-19 teaches there will be no peace or safety for the unsaved from the time of the second seal until after the Second Coming of Christ. Paul’s teaches in 1 Thess. 5 states that the Day of the Lord will begin when the world claims to have peace and safety. So the Day of the Lord must begin before the second seal is broken for the period of false peace and security that existed before the tribulation is then removed. The Antichrist comes promoting peace by deception but then “conquering and to conquer”, the tribulation in its beginnings has a war. There are three at least major wars during the period of the tribulation, and the second seal is the first of these three wars. The second war is more toward the middle of the tribulation and the third is Armageddon at the end of the tribulation which is the end of all wars.

The Prophet Amos described this period “As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him” (Amos 5:19). Inescapable disasters will escalate in intensity throughout the seven-year Tribulation period.

Rev.6:5-The 3rd Seal brings a world-wide famine which often comes as a consequence of war Worldwide economic troubles. V. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” This shows that we will still be using oil for an energy source. Since no one would be able to buy or sell without the mark there is need to have commerce continue. With all the pursuits of new energy sources the Bible shows oil will be valuable. This means that what we see today despite the conflicts on prices it will still be available. It also means that it will be within a nearer time period than we may think since oil is still the energy source we use. Some say the oil reserves can be used up in 40 years, this excludes finding new oil drills.

Rev.6:7-The 4th Seal brings Death is released. One fourth of the world's population dies. The population is destroyed by the sword, (war) famine, (death by starvation) pestilence, (death by diseases) and, death by wild animals. Once food becomes rare, wild animals will come out to attack man for food or have them as food. (no pun included)

Rev.6:9- The 5th Seal brings Persecution and mass killing of God's people worldwide. These are Christian martyrs of the first half of he tribulation. This certainly can’t be the church since where is the blessed hope, not any if we are all martyred.

Rev.6:12 The 6th Seal brings a Massive earthquake -judgments ends with convulsions of nature, five blackouts occur during the end times, and this is the second blackout

Rev.7:2-The 7th Seal is the sealing of the 144,000 Jews are called for world wide evangelism. This is not just a number being representative of the Church or Israel. It is specific as it states there are 12,000 from each tribe, they are men and they are virgins (not married nor partook in sexual misconduct). Then there is Silence in heaven for a short while as the 7 trumpet judgments are given to the 7 angels

The Trumpet judgments

Each judgment will come with increased severity and increased rapidity as they close to the time just before the Second Coming.” The trumpets will sound judgment upon the earth (Rev. 8:7), the sea (Rev. 8:8-9), the waters (Rev. 8:10-11), the heavens (Rev. 8:12-13), and mankind (Rev. 9:1-21). These judgments are severe but limited in scope.

Rev 8:2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Each angel releases judgment as the trumpet is blown.

Rev.8:7-1st Trumpet Hail, fire, and blood come upon the earth. 1/3 all grass and trees burned up.

Rev.8:8 -2nd Trumpet A Great mountain hits sea. 1/3 all ocean becomes blood. 1/3 all sea life dies and 1/3 all ships destroyed.

Rev.8:10-3rd Trumpet the star called Wormwood hits earth. 1/3 of all the freshwater is poisoned.

Rev.8:12- 4th Trumpet 1/3 of sun and moon darkened which affects a third of the daylight.

Rev.9:1.-5th Trumpet locusts hat sting and torment men are loosed from the pit

Rev.9:13-6th Trumpet demons released an army of 200 million which kills 1/3 of the world's population which appear to be demonic not human.

Those who are Amillennialists, and Preterists say the Millennium has occurred or is now taking place. Can anyone have any credibility say that these judgments have occurred or that we are currently experiencing them. Not unless they want to be part of what Paul addressed as deception in 2 Thess.2:1-2

In Gen. 15:18 .. the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates-(Deut. 1:7,11:24) The land covenant has always had spiritual conflicts throughout history and culminates with this final conflict. This is the separation of the promise land and Babylon, it is also the boundary of the old Roman Empire which is to be restored under the anti Christ.

In between the last trumpet is Rev 10:4 “Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” These are another series of judgment which are unknown to what respect they have on mankind. So if someone says they know what the 7 thunders are they are attempting to do what God had John not to do. This was for John’s ears only. If the Word is not giving any information we should be silent also. While the lord has given much revelation there are secrets not fit for all the church but only for the apostle.

Rev.11:15-7th Trumpet the 7th angel Cries from heaven before 7 bowl judgments are about to be released on earth . It is this trumpet that is used by some who claim the Church will go through some of the tribulation.

There are 7 feasts given to Israel as a memorial (Lev.23)

As with all the Old Testament types these feasts teach us about Christ, they have prophetic and spiritual meanings, they illustrate doctrine. The feasts are sequential as Christ fulfilled them in order. Christ fulfilled 4 of them in his first coming as they are spring feasts. In between these feasts are what is the summer season. This corresponding to the church age we now are in (Jn.4:35 Jesus tell us their is still 4 months to harvest , fall season but the fields are already white for harvest). The other 4 are the fall feasts in relation to the Latter Rain to be poured out on the nation Israel at the end of the age so they might be saved.

The last 3 feasts The last 3 feasts are the fall holy days.

Day of TrumpetsDay of Trumpets= represents regathering, and the resurrection.

Day of Atonement = represents peace made with God, reconciliation.

Feast of Tabernacles Feast of Tabernacles = represents Israel rejoicing over the harvest that took place. God is with us on earth, it is the Consummation of the ages.

These holy days are celebrated by the Jewish people all over the world today, especially the Orthodox.

All are fulfilled by the person of Christ. 4 are already fulfilled, 3 to go , which are completed by the rapture, the tribulation and 2nd coming.

The feast of trumpets is called Yom Truah - “Day of the Blowing of Trumpets” - Lev. 23 all Jews were called to remember their sins on this feast.

Zicharon Truah - “Memorial of Triumph” or “Shouting of Joy” -

In Judaism The Blowing of the Shofar is linked to the sacrifice of Isaac because a ram was used in his stead. It is representative of repentance because it is curved.

Trumpets were used in numerous ways: When the law was given on Mt.Sinai. Israel conquered Jericho with 7 shofar blasts on the 7th circle around (Joshua 6:20). The shofar was blown for war Judges 3:27, 2 Sam.20:1 The watchman stood on the wall of the city and blew the shofar to warn the people of danger coming Amos 3:6, Jer.6:1, Ez.33:6 It was blown to announce the Jubilee year, Lev.25:9 slaves would listen to its sound it would signal their freedom. It was blown to announce a new king to the throne 1 Kings 34:39. At the Feasts of Trumpets it was blown to gather the people for a Sabbath rest and they would present special burnt offerings to the Lord.

Israel will be advised of the 2nd advent of their Messiah with the blowing of the shofar. Zechariah prophesies in 9:14 “Then the LORD will be seen over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and go with whirlwinds from the south.”

The Trumpet Blasts consist of 100 notes sounded, 4 different types of notes are sounded.

Tekiah'= one long, single blast; its straight, plain, smooth, a continuous note. It is a Symbol of joy and contentment.

Shevarim = 3 short blasts; 3 broken notes, it is a symbol of sobbing.

Truah = extremely short, 9 in a row; trills, it is a symbol of trepidation, fear, and sorrow. The first 99 notes, are a mixture of 3 types of notes.

Tekiah Gedolah = The “Great Trump” or what is known as the “Last Trump” is the 100th note blown. It is as long as blower can hold his breath. It is a symbol of redemption, resurrection, and restoration of Israel. This is not to be confused with the trumpets of judgement in rvelation.

Paul due to Persecution couldn't stay long enough in Thessalonica to teach all that he would have purposed to. So he wrote letters to respond to their question’s. In the 1st epistle he writes if a believer dies before the raptures he doesn’t miss out on it he actually will rise first before those who are still alive (I Thess. 4:13-15). He will then be gathered together with them in the air

Paul uses the terms “In Christ, or “In Jesus” or “In Him” which are technical terms. Paul used these meaning those baptized by the Spirit into the Body. This does not appear to include Old Testament saints, just Christians who are in Christ. The other Old Testament saints are still part of the 1st resurrection, as it occurs at different times taking place before the 2nd resurrection, it is not a singular event.

I Thess. 4:16-17- there are 7 sequential stages to the rapture:

1. Lord shall descend from Heaven; return to Earth's atmosphere not touching on the ground

2.With a Shout - a military command; chief commander at a tent gives order to his subordinate

3.Voice of archangel- 3.Voice of archangel- an angel, Michael? Sub-commander repeats the order he heard from Christ

4.Trump of God - soldiers know what to do depending on sound of the trumpet. The Feast connected here - even in Judaism, is related to resurrection.

5.The dead in Christ rise first out of the graves their bodies are transformed to their promised incorruptible, eternal bodies and meet their spirit in the air that has come back with Christ (vs.14).

6.We who are Alive shall go to clouds (vs. 17). Note, the word “rapture” is not used in Scripture, but the concept is . caught up. The phrase “caught up” in I Thessalonians 4:17 is the Greek word harpazo, which actually means “to be taken away, violently.” The Latin equivalent of harpazo is the verb rapio, “to take away by force.” It is the word rapture.

7.We shall always be with the Lord -we return to Heaven with Him first for the marriage then later return to earth with him at Armegeddon and after the judgment the marriage feast. We shall always be with the Lord -we return to Heaven with Him first for the marriage, then later return to earth with him at Armageddon and after the judgment the marriage feast.

The Timing of the Rapture -Since the feasts are sequential The Day of Atonement (symbolizes the Tribulation period) precedes After the Feast of Trumpets (symbolizes the Rapture). So the Tribulation begins AFTER the rapture. Jesus fulfilled the first 4 feats on their exact day, this does not mean he will at his descent to our atmosphere, although he may.

The rapture (or “translation”) of the church finds its theological parallel to the “raptures” of Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2: 12). Both individuals disappeared or were caught up into heaven bodily (whether they remained there is certainly a debate). At His ascension, our Lord Himself was “taken up” into heaven bodily (Acts 1:9). The biblical teaching of the rapture describes both the resurrection of deceased believers and the translation of living believers into the air to meet the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:51- 52). Just as the Lord was taken to the father so we too will be taken by the Lord to the house that has been prepared (Jn.14).

The last trump shall sound (1 Cor.15:52) the dead are resurrected, and some living will be gathered together with him not seeing death. Paul says The last trump is a specific trump he expects the Corinthians to know what he's talking about, because he's already explained a good portion of the Mosaic Law, All along in Corinthians, Paul is connecting the Feasts with Jesus' fulfillment , I Cor. 5:7 the Passover; 5:8 Unleavened Bread; 15:20-24 First Fruits. Cor. 15:30-58 trumpets-the resurrection and taking away of the church, the bride for their marriage in heaven.

So the trump he’s talking about is Feast of Trumpets. This is not the same trump as in Rev.11. Paul cannot be referring to Rev. 11, because the book of Revelation would not be written for another 30 years, they had no idea about this judgment.

The trumpet that sounds at the time of the rapture/resurrection of the Church in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 is called the “trump of God.” The trump of  1 Corinthians 15 is about an event that happens in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. Paul said, “I’ll show you a mystery we'll not all sleep, but we'll be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.” In Revelation the seventh trumpet is the trumpet of the seventh angel. This seventh trump covers a period of days and it is a judgment (Revelation 10:7). One is a blessing the other is judgment.

Another difference is the last trump of 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4 is a trumpet of glory. We are immediately changed and made into His image and brought up to meet the Lord in the air. The 7th trumpet of the Book of Revelation is described as a woe. In Rev. 8:13 the angel says this at the end of the fourth trumpet, “Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other three voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” Three more “woes” refer to the fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpets. At the end of the fifth trumpet Rev. 9:12, and Rev. 11:15, the seventh trumpet, is the third woe to come. It is not a blessing but judgment just like the other woes, the seals and the bowls.

If you think that the Church must go through the Great Tribulation, then you're taking away from the immanency of the return of Jesus Christ, the very reason He told us to watch. We'd would instead be watching for the Great Tribulation and the unveiling of the Antichrist and not Jesus' return. Nowhere does Scripture indicate this as the focus. As Christians we are not to look for Antichrist even if he is revealed, since the bride adores her husband and has eyes only for Him, making herself ready for His coming. The Church would then know exactly when he’s coming since he gave us 7 years from the time of the signing of the peace treaty with Israel and 1260 days after the abomination of desolation in the temple, until his coming. This is reserved for the tribulation saints. This is why Jesus said in Mt.24 he who endures to the end will be saved. Those in that generation that see all the signs mentioned that occur in the same time period will have the hardest time of all to make it to the end when He comes back.

When the 7th angel sounds in the book of Revelation there are still have the 7 bowl judgments to be poured out on the earth. For those who think we go up and go back down immediately this would be bad timing. This indicates that it is different trumpet than the one mentioned in Corinthians and in Matthew. The one in Matthew 24:30 sounds his returning to earth in which everyone sees Him coming in glory. But when the last trumpet sounds in Revelation, it signals the beginning of the bowl judgments where the worst devastation is coming still. Clearly these are different trumpets.

The oldest prophecy uttered by a prophet was given before the flood of Noah and was of the Second Coming! It was given by Enoch, who begot Methusaleh the oldest recorded living man (on record) who when he died the flood came. Enoch was someone who would know the difference of a rapture that he himself participated in, and the 2nd coming. He is quoted in Jude 14-15 the Lord comes with 10,000 x 10,000 of his saints (myriad's and myriad's). Notice 1 Thess.3:13...“ at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” Notice he comes with ALL His saints (not some) which would in context of other passages mean the Church that He has already taken. These are the ones who have received their resurrected immortal bodies to co- rule and reign with Christ for 1,000 years on earth. These are unable to have children then and will be servants teaching and ministering to the peoples needs as we work alongside him promoting His kingdom.

At Christ's Second Coming all the unsaved will be taken from the earth in judgment (Mt.25), but the living saints that survived the Tribulation will be left on the earth to enter the Millennium. It is in the same order as the flood in the days of Noah. They will then repopulate the earth.

The ones taken from the field, the bed and the millennium (Mt.24:40-41) appear to be the unsaved, who will be removed in judgment separating the sheep from the goats when Christ returns after the Tribulation. The ones left (the sheep of Mt.25) will enter the Millennial Kingdom saved. Only saved people will enter the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth after he separates the sheep from the goats. And so Christ will rule on earth in a restored world like Eden until the end of the ages. Isa.65:20-25 “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; for the child shall die one hundred years old, but the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.. Man will be given 100 years to repent. People will live to be 1,000 years old as they once did in Adams time. In the millennium there will still be people born that will need to believe; those who received their resurrected bodies will co-rule and reign with Christ for the millennium. This is why Satan is let out at the end to test those who have not decided and his rebellion will be immediately crushed. This is before the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven in Rev.21 and the new heaven and earth are made. Then we enter the eternal kingdom of which it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9)