Our Present Age

and how it will end

Chapter 11 – The Rapture

With all the debate among Christians regarding the timing of the Rapture; whether it is pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, or no Rapture at all, all one has to do is to look at Luke 17, which could not make it more clear, that life will continue completely normally until Lot is ushered out of Sodom. Luke 17 then immediately goes on to describe the Rapture of the bride, when “one is taken and the other left”.

Luke 17:28-36 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. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."  

In the passage above, Christ tells us 3 times that it will be on that day, “when the Son of Man is revealed,” when one is taken and the one other left, which is describing the Rapture, which is directly and unmistakably related to “the day that Lot went out of Sodom”.

When the firmament of the sky is rolled up (removed) on the Day of the Lord, there is going to occur an exchange in habitation between the bride of Christ, who is caught up to the throne of God in the spiritual realms of heaven, and Satan and his angels, who are cast out of heaven, as described in the passage below.

Revelation 12:3-5 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman that was ready to be delivered, to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a male child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.

The great red dragon with 7 heads is Satan and 7 powerful devils who rule as a hive mind over all the fallen angels. When the dragon loses his battle against Michael and his angels, the dragon will draw a third of the stars of heaven and cast them down to the earth. These falling stars represent fallen angels, or fallen Anunnaki. The casting down of these stars to the earth is described in Rev 6 as it compares them to figs that fall from a fig tree.

Rev 6:34-14 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up.

The catching up of the male child here is the Rapture of the bride of Christ, which I cover in much greater detail in Chapter 11 of this book. Thus we can know that the Rapture takes place on the Day of the Lord when there is an exchange that takes place between the bride of Christ that is “caught up” to her heavenly spiritual abode, and the casting out of Satan and his angels from their heavenly spiritual abode, which is induced by the removal of the firmament of the sky when it is rolled up as a scroll.

Verses 5-9 of Rev 12 provide us with further detail as to why the dragon is cast out as his tail draws a third of the stars down to the earth with him; it is because of the war that breaks out between Michael and his angels and the dragon and his angels, at which time the dragon and his angels “did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer”. Remember that the dragon has 7 heads because it is an entity operating as a hive mind, and is comprised of Satan and 7 Anunnaki.

Rev 12:5-9 And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God; that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

The Rapture is not the same thing as the Second Coming of Christ. The Rapture is the “catching up” of the firstfruits harvest; it is the “rescue” of the Bride of Christ. In John 3:29 we can see there are two categories of believers; the one is referred to as “the bride”, and the second as “the friend of the bridegroom.”

John 3:29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.

In this passage, the bridegroom “has the bride”, while the friend of the bridegroom is standing by and can hear the bridegroom voice. The voice of the bridegroom is Jesus himself, as he is the Word of God. These two categories of believers, the bride and the friend of the bridegroom, are what the Bible refers to as two types of harvests, the one becomes ripe by the early rain, and the other by the latter rain, but they are all referred to as “the precious fruit of the earth”.

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

James 5 verifies the Lord is patiently waiting to receive two types of harvests; the first harvest which ripens from receiving the early rain, and the second harvest which ripens after receiving the latter rain.In the Old Testament, the firstfruits harvest was a special crop so exclusively regarded by Jehovah, that He even commanded specific instructions on how these crops were to be handled; even declaring that a special feast should be observed for the firstfruits of wheat, called the feast of weeks. As the firstfuits crops always ripened ahead of the main harvest, when they became ready for harvesting they were first marked out from the rest of the harvest, then carefully pulled out so as to not harm the surrounding crops, and were then taken to the house of the Lord as an offering.

Leviticus 19:26 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of Jehovah thy God.

The Bride of Christ is this firstfruits harvest that is going to ripen ahead of the main harvest, and then be carefully pulled out from the world at the time of the Rapture, and then taken to the house of God. They are one and the same as the 144,000 thousand spoken of in the Book or Revelation.

Rev 14:1-5 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
  

Many people teach these represent a literal 144,000 Jews that will be living on the Earth, but Rev 14 will not support that. First of all, 144,000 is not a literal representation, but rather a parabolic representation, just as the 10 virgins in the parable of the 10 virgins, do not literally represent 10 people. Secondly, it is clearly evident these 144,000 are not on the Earth because they are standing on mount Zion with the Lamb, and they are singing a new song before the throne. Thirdly, they have already been redeemed from among men because they were the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb; they are the wise virgins. And lastly, these attributes cannot be attributed to anyone physically living in their former earthly bodies on Earth.
  

The Delivery of the manchild
As the birth pangs continue to intensify and arrive at closer intervals, the moment comes when the Earth is ready to deliver her child.

Revelation 12:1-2 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 

I believe the "woman" represents the New Testament Church on the Earth. She is clothed with the sun, has the moon under her dominion, and is crowned with the 12 constellations of the zodiac above her head. Romans 8 tells us that all of creation groans with labor pains to give birth to the sons of God.

Romans 8:22-23 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

The word “caught up” in Rev 12 was translated from the Greek verb “Harpazo” [G726]. It is found 13 times in the New Testament, and is what we now refer to as “the Rapture”.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [G726] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

We can know that the child of Rev 12 represents the earthly sons of God. The word “child” used there was translated from 3 Greek words: “Arrhen”[G730], Teknon[G5043], and “Huios”[G5207], and are repeatedly used in the New Testament to refer to children of God, as in the following verses.

Revelation 12:4 …and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child [G5043] as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a male [G5043] child [G5207], who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child [G730] was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
  

Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, “We have Abraham to our father”; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children [G5043] unto Abraham.
  

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children [G5043] of God:
  

Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children [G5043] of God.

  

Romans 9:8 That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children [G5043] of God: but the children [G5043] of the promise are counted for the seed.
  

Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children [G5043] of promise.

  

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male [G730] nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons [G5207] of God.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children [G5207] of God.
  

We can know that the manchild of Rev 12 is the Bride of Christ because they possess the firstfruits of the Spirit. Only those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit and are watching for the Lord’s return will be ready to meet the bridegroom when he is announced at midnight. They will have their lamps full of oil because they are the wise virgins.

In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation that describe the 7 churches, we are informed as to who will be Raptured, and who will not, and that he that overcomes, will not be hurt by the second death.

Church # 1 – The church of Ephesus: Some have left their first love; they must first remember from where they have fallen, and repent, and do their first works; or else Christ will come unto them quickly, and will remove their candlestick out of his place.

Church # 2 - The church of Smyrna: Some of them are of the synagogue of Satan; some will be cast into prison and be tested and experience tribulation; but if they are faithful unto death, they will be saved.

Church # 3 - The church of Pergamos: They dwell where Satan’s seat is and some hold the doctrines of the Devil; but they must repent, and should hold fast to the name of Christ, and not deny his faith, even throughout those days where Antipas was his faithful martyr among them.

Church # 4 - The church of Thyatira: They are allowing Jezebel to teach and seduce God’s servants into committing fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols. They must repent, and the rest must hold fast until the Lord comes.

Church # 5 - The church of Sardis: They must remember the words they have received, and hold fast to their faith, and repent; if not, then Christ will come as a thief to them.

Church # 6 - The church of Philadelphia: Christ has set an open door before them that no man can shut, because they have kept His Word and have not denied His name.

Church # 7 - The church of Laodicea: Because they are lukewarm (neither cold nor hot), Christ will vomit them out of His mouth. They believe they are rich and in need of nothing, but are instead wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

Those who are Raptured are one and the same as those who are “taken” in Luke 17.

Luke 17:34-38 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken, and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken, and the other left." And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

When will this occur? We can know that the Rapture will take place on the day when sudden destruction comes, as described in Luke 17.

Luke 17:29-30 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed [Apokalypto].

The Parousia and the Rapture will occur in the twinkling of an eye

The Bible tells us that the Lord will come unexpectedly, and that it will occur “quickly”. In the Book of Revelation, we are told 6 times that the Lord will come “quickly”.

1. Rev 2:5 I will come unto thee quickly.

2. Rev 2:16 I will come unto thee quickly.

3. Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly.

4. Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly.

5. Rev 22:12 Behold, I come quickly.

6. Rev 22:20 Surely, I come quickly.

  

In Matthew chapter 24 the Lord Jesus describes that His coming will be “as lightning”.

Matt 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Because we know that a visible flash of lightning travels at the speed of light, we can deduct from reading Matthew 24:27 that the Lord’s coming will occur at the speed of light. The Greek word that was translated as the word “coming” Matt 24:27 is the Greek noun “Parousia”, which is used 16 times in the New Testament when speaking of the return of Christ. In Corinthians 15:52, we are also told that the Parousia will occur “in the twinkling of an eye”. Corinthians 15:52 harmonizes with Matt 24:27 in regards to the Parousia occurring “quickly”, which is at the speed of light. We know that light travels at the speed of 186,000 miles per second, or 700 million miles in per hour, which means it can travel around the world 7.49 times in one second, which means that light can travel around the world in 0.133 seconds. Therefore, we can say that if the Parousia were to start at one end of the Earth, it can travel around the world in 0.133 seconds, which means the Parousia can occur “in the twinkling of an eye”.

Corinthians 15:52 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.

As I searched the Bible for an answer to this, I compiled a list of 4 scenarios regarding the Rapture and Last Day.

  

#1.  Luke 17:34-36 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

  

#2. Matthew 24:38-39 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage , until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

#3. Luke 17:28-30 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

#4. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 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.

In scenario #1 we see that two people are in bed, two people are working, and two people are in the field when the Rapture occurs, and no advance warning is indicated in that scenario.
   

In scenarios 2 and 3 we see that the world is going on "business as usual" until the Last Day and no advance warning is indicated there. In scenario #4 we are told that Christ comes as "a thief in the night" when people are proclaiming "peace and safety", and no advanced warning is indicated there as well.

When a thief comes to rob you in the middle of the night, he will never give you an advanced warning before he arrives, but instead he will come in as quickly and quietly as possible, and he will rob you of your most valued possessions. Because the Bible is so consistent in describing the return of Christ as occurring as a thief in the night, and it is also so consistent that he will come “quickly”, and that we will never know at “which hour” the Lord will come, we should just faithfully understand and believe it to mean exactly what it states: that the world will be at peace, and that Christ will return as a thief in the night at an hour when we least expect it, and that he will come quickly, and that after the Rapture occurs, which is likened to the day that Lot went out of Sodom and the day that Noah entered into the ark, then sudden destruction will come, and the flood will begin to “take them all away”. Why would we want to conjure up all different types of scenarios when it has been so plainly and clearly written down for us in black and white?