| No. |
Christ's Bride's Rapture Verses |
Remarks |
Christ's Second Coming Verses |
Remarks |
| 1 |
"4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds; 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:" 2 Peter 2:4-9
"17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish My covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee ... 1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation." Gen 6:17-18,7:1 |
FOR A FORETASTE OF THE COMING RAPTURE, GOD USES NOAH AND LOT TO ESTABLISH A PICTURE OF HOW THE GODLY ARE SUPERNATURALLY DELIVERED AND THE UNGODLY ARE SUPERNATURALLY PUNISHED. (A)
The stark contrast between Deliverance and Judgment clearly shows that the true church of born again Christians will be saved and delivered before God strikes with righteous judgment against the ungodly. These verses and other Biblical end time prophecies verses is why Pre-tribulationists subscribe to the Pre-trib Rapture. Post-tribulationists cling on to their view that the true church must suffer like Christ and will be in the Tribulation until His Second Coming.
The ark is a picture and precursor of the Rapture. BEFORE God's wrath came upon the inhabitants of the earth in the great flood; He welcomed Noah's household into the safety of the ark. Only 8 people out of an estimated 2 to 3 billion people on earth were kept out of God's wrath at that time. Gen 6:8-9 says that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord because he was just and perfect in his generations. Born again Christians are sinners but are made righteous and perfect by the atoning blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. |
"For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be THE TIME OF THE HEATHEN." Eze 30:3 (H)
"For the great day of HIS WRATH is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Rev 6:17 (H) (Capitals added)
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Mal 4:1 (H)
"12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is PROUD and LOFTY, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: ... 17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 18 And the idols He shall utterly abolish." Isa 2:12,17-18 (H)
"14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are UNGODLY among them of all their UNGODLY deeds which they have UNGODLY committed, and of all their hard speeches which UNGODLY sinners have spoken against Him." Jude 1:14-15 (J) |
THE SECOND COMING COMES AFTER A SERIES OF SUPERNATURAL EVENTS AIMED SPECIFICALLY AT THE UNGODLY INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH AT THAT TIME INCLUDING PSEUDO CHRISTIANS. (H)
God directs His judgment and wrath towards the heathen. They are proud, wicked and idolatrous. They are UNGODLY. Contained within the Great Tribulation is a time called the day of the Lord. The two days of man's 2,000 years (2 Peter 3:8) which we understand to be the Church Age of grace, will be over. Throughout time, man has been given the time to repent and turn to God and the time has come for the Lord's day and time to justifiably establish His throne on earth and proclaim His righteousness, power and glory as the one true God. |
| 2 |
"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, BRETHEN, 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. 6 Therefore let US not sleep, as do OTHERS; but let US watch and be sober. 7 For THEY that sleep sleep in the night; and THEY that be drunken are drunken in the night. 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," 1 Thess 5:2-9 (H) |
THE RAPTURE IS THE RED LINE THAT SETS "US" WHO ARE "THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT" APART FROM "THEM" WHO ARE THE CHILDREN OF "DARKNESS", AND CLEARLY ESTABLISHES THAT TRUE BELIEVERS WILL NOT BE IN THE DAY OF THE LORD. (B) (H)
We are told with certainty that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly during a time of peace and safety (1 Thess 5:3). Using the analogy of a pregnant woman, we can know the appoximate time of when the child will be born but the first contractions of labor pains appear suddenly and catches everyone unaware, just "as a thief in the night". But the mother is more anticipative because she is paying the most attention. Likewise, we should be like the mother and watch closely, one minute to the next when the time is near. Born again believers will not be overtaken by the day of the Lord because God (v9) has not appointed us to wrath.
1 Thess 5:2-9 contrasts true believers from pseudo Christians and non-believers and the assurance of being kept from the day of the Lord. |
"18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things ... 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Rom 1:18-23 (N) |
LEADING UP TO THE SECOND COMING, ROMANS IS A DAMNING INDICTMENT OF THE CHILDREN OF DARKNESS FROM TIMES OF OLD. (N)
Mankind knows the truth about the existence of God but refuses to accept it, which is different from believing. For example, evolution is pushed in the education system to oust God from creation in opposition to the Bible stating from the first line that God is creator of heaven and earth (Gen 1:1). More specifically, v28 says that ungodly man has ousted God out of their hearts and minds and choose not to glorify Him.
These point to conscious, premeditated actions that the ungodly choose as "HATERS OF GOD" (v30) and by choice they seek to be children of darkness. Verse 23 seals their eternal damnation because they know of the judgment of God and the consequence of spiritual death by their actions and not only intentionally do it but cheer on others who follow in their ungoldy ways. |
| 3 |
"9 And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11 |
AT THE RAPTURE, JESUS WILL RETURN IN THE SAME MANNER AS WHEN HE ASCENDED; CALMLY, IN TRANQUILITY, ON HIS OWN, WITHOUT FANFARE OR A HONOR GUARD OF ANGELS LINING HIS ROUTE. (B)
The two angels were on earth to accompany and comfort the disciples so that they would not be at a loss or overcome with anxiety, seeing their Savior leaving them without a shepherd to guide them moving forward. God made known to these angels to make known to us of a future time when Jesus will come in the same way that He has ascended. We are explicitly told of this. Other Rapture verses align with what the angels have said which is that Jesus shall so return in like manner. Compare this with the tone and mood of Rev 19:11-14 and Jude 1:14-15 which is completely the opposite. |
"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." Rev 19:11-14 (I)
"14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." Jude 1:14-15 (I) (J) |
IN THE SECOND COMING, WE NOTE THE FOLLOWING POINTS THAT ARE OPPOSITE TO THE RAPTURE VERSES. (I)
1. Jesus is on a white horse. In those early days, the horse was the 'vehicle' of choice in combat and enabled its warrior-rider be more effective and formidable. The state of Jesus coming forth for war is confirmed in Rev 19:11 and 14. We can see the use of horses in battle in movie depictions of medieval knights, mounted calvary and more recently, in the Lord of the Rings.
2. Jesus is not on His own but accompanied by His bride the heavenly army of saints that make up the true church. This proves that by this time, the Rapture has taken place and that the saints are already glorified and no longer disembodied souls, and can ride with the Lord.
3. Unlike the Rapture when Jesus returns with the same 'mood and feel' as when He had ascended (Acts 1:11), the Second Coming is a huge contrast showing Jesus with a wrathful and fiery disposition, heading towards the earth in a mood for battle and blood. |
| 4 |
"13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 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 Thess 4:13-18 (B) |
FOR THE RAPTURE, WE ARE NOT TO BE IGNORANT OF THIS JOYOUS EVENT WHEN JESUS HIMSELF WILL RECEIVE BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS, BOTH ASLEEP AND ALIVE AT THAT MOMENT. (B)
1. One of the strongest proof texts for the Pre-tribulation Rapture is 1 Thess 4:13-18. We are fully aware that passing away is like falling asleep and awake to the Lord in His presence. Should we be in sorrow about those who are asleep? No not at all. Do they, or we, need to be told that we will be with Christ when we sleep? Therefore, Paul was telling them something that they were unaware of. The Thessalonians were not worried about those asleep but whether those asleep would MISS the Lord's arrival and not be taken up at the Rapture.
2. At the Rapture, there will be a generation who are physically alive and transformed in a split second and given a glorified body while alive as they ascend to the Lord 'levitating' in mid-air.
3. Paul does not bring up the slightest hint of God's judgment or wrath. Note the caring, soothing and reassuring tone of the Holy Spirit inspired words - "brethen", "sorrow not", "will God bring with Him", "so shall we ever be with the Lord", "comfort one another with these words". The Rapture is not at a time when the world is under judgment but at a time which would be like the most ordinary day on earth.
4. The only people who can see the Lord in mid-air will be the ones He has come to rapture. Paul was speaking with the Thessalonian Christians the audience, the brethen, would matter most and is of no interest to non-believers who do not believe the Word and reject Christ. |
"20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." Rev 9:20-21
"9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the Name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory. 10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds." Rev 16:9-11 |
AT THE SECOND COMING, THE UNGODLY ARE NOT IGNORANT OF GOD'S DIRECTED WRATH AND EVEN WHEN AT THE RECEIVING END OF A BARRAGE OF PLAGUES. THEY REMAIN DEFIANT, UNREPENTANT AND BLASPHEME GOD. (H)
The ungodly believers will experience God's wrath like no other generation in history and yet they are rebelliously unrepentant. They are seeing a bloodbath all around them, on a scale that is unprecedented and yet the Bible indicates that there is not even a hint of them pausing to consider repenting. Such is ungodliness that they shake their fists at God despite the extreme pain. Contrast this with 1 Thess 4:13-18 where believers find comfort in God's assurances. |
| 5 |
"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. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Rom 8:16-23 (A) |
BEFORE THE RAPTURE, AS THE CHURCH AGE DRAWS TO A CLOSE, ALL OF CREATION WILL DISPLAY SIGNS OF TRAVAIL WHICH IS MANIFESTED IN VARIOUS UNPRECEDENTED CONDITIONS ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN IE. THE ATMOSPHERE. (A)
We are noticing more and more unprecedented and once-in-a-century-type global conditions such as record breaking temperatures, intensifying earthquakes in diverse places and never-before low water levels, etc, what the world thinks is "climate change" due to man's mismanagement of the earth. These are actually the groaning and travailing in pain of creation. The analogy in the Bible is that of a woman just before the baby arrives, experiencing increased frequency and intensity of labor pain.
True believers also feel wretched and groan within ourselves, because of the sin around us and within us. Even COVID-19 is an extraordinary, once-in-a-century pandemic that is a consequence of this sin-cursed world whether or not it came from a lab. The fact is that it is everywhere there is man and where there is sin, there is death.
We look forward to receiving our glorious body just like Christ, to replace our vile and corrupt, sin-infested earthly bodies (Phi 3:21, Rom 8:23). |
"12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Rev 6:12-17 (H)
"The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up." Rev 8:7 |
BEFORE THE SECOND COMING, THE SIXTH SEAL OPENS REVEALING GOD TO BE THE ONLY POWER ABLE TO BRING ABOUT THESE TERRIFYING EVENTS. THE TRAVAIL WILL REACH ITS PEAK AND WILL NO LONGER BE 'NATURAL' EVENTS BUT LITERALLY, GOD-INITIATED JUDGMENT EVENTS THAT WILL IMPACT NATIONS ON A GLOBAL SCALE. (H)
The book of Revelation describes a 7-year period of Tribulation when 7 Seals are opened, and within them are the 7 Trumpets announcing God's judgment plagues and 7 Vials of God's wrath. All will not be covered here but Rev 6:12-17 and Rev 8:7 provide an idea of what the ungodly will be facing. The world will see supernatural events that can only be attributed to acts of God on a Biblical scale. It is so frightening that the people know that God is extremely angry and is unleashing His wrath upon an unrepentant and ungodly world. They are so terrified that they would rather be buried allive than face the Lamb.
Scientists insist that a magnitude 10 on the Richter scale is impossible but there is always a first. The greatest earthquake in world history will take place where when every mountain and island is moved out of their place.
In the course of the 7 Seals, more than half of the world's current population of 8,000,000,000 will perish. |
| 6 |
"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. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 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," 1 Thess 5:2-9 (H) |
WITH THE RAPTURE, THE GODLY WILL NOT BE CAUGHT OFF-GUARD BY THE APPEARING OF THE ANTICHRIST AND GOD'S WRATH UNLEASHED. (E) (F) (G) (H)
Paul begins with "For yourselves know perfectly" when referring to the day of the Lord. This means that the believers were already taught that the day of the Lord will be sudden but it will not be the case for the children of the day and of the light ie. the believers. This passage continues from Paul's assurance to the Thessalonian church that they could not be caught in the day of the Lord because "God hath not appointed us to wrath". |
"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. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 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," 1 Thess 5:2-9 (H) |
THE SECOND COMING WILL CATCH THE UNGODLY OFF-GUARD AND JUST WHEN THEY THINK THERE IS PEACE AND SAFETY BROKERED BY THE ANTICHRIST, GOD'S WRATH IS UNLEASHED. (E) (F) (H)
The day of the Lord is God's wrath directed at the ungodly who reject Christ and the Gospel that can save them if they would only believe.
The peace and safety in v3 refers to a time when a man of global influence, whom we know to be the Antichrist, confirms a covenant of peace for Israel and the Middle East and the world's nations. Israel will look to this 'man of peace' as their savior. The religious Jews will be ecstatic because he will make a way for the Third Temple to be built and national worship of Yahweh can be resumed
Israel is secular and like the rest of the world, does not accept Bible prophecy and hence remains in darkness. The Antichrist's covenant of peace begins the 7-year Tribulation and the subsequent day of the Lord will come out of the blue like a thief in the night because they do not expect the betrayal of the Antichrist against Israel and sudden wrath unleashed by the Lord in the Great Tribulation. |
| 7 |
"12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever." Rev 5:12-14 |
AT THE RAPTURE, THE RAPTURED BRIDE OF THE LAMB IS USHERED INTO THE MAJESTIC THRONE ROOM OF THE ONE TRUE ALMIGHTY GOD AND THE LAMB (B) (C) (D)
The godly saved will see Christ as He is, glorious and exalted. This is the ultimate blessing of God for the born again believer, to be forever with the Lord and worship Him and serve Him, set totally free from sin. |
"1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2 Thess 2:1-4 (E) (F) (G)
"15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Matt 24:15,21
"36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain." Dan 11:36-39 (F) |
BEFORE THE SECOND COMING, THE ANTICHRIST POSSESSED BY SATAN, WILL STAND IN THE THIRD JEWISH TEMPLE AND AS THE ULTIMATE COUNTERFEIT, WILL PROCLAIM TO BE GOD (E) (F) (G)
The Antichrist is Satan's man that will reveal himself in the middle of the Tribulation, 3.5 years before Christ's Second Coming. Paul was assuring the Thessalonian Christians that they could not be in the day of the Lord because if they were, they would have witnessed the rise and subsequent proclamation of the Antichrist as God.
For the ungodly, this is the ultimate damnation. They will be deceived by the Antichrist because they rejected Christ in the first place. Rom 1:28 says, "they did not like to retain God in their knowledge" and so "God gave them over to a reprobate mind". They will follow a man possessed of Satan, with all of their wretched hearts. They are judged and doomed by their very own actions. |
| 8 |
"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 Cor 15:51-54 (B)
"1 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." 1 John 3:1-2 (B)
"20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." Phi 3:20-21 (D) |
AT THE RAPTURE, THERE IS A TRANSFORMATION OF BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS. OUR VILE BODIES ARE CHANGED TO GLORIOUS BODIES JUST LIKE CHRIST'S. (B)
There are three key points in v51 alone.
1. Paul is revealing a mystery. It is God's special revelation to Paul that was unknown to any of Christ's disciples until the moment Paul shared it.
2. Heb 9:27 says that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" There will be a Rapture generation of believers who will be physically alive when transformed in that split second and given a glorified body.
3. The dead in Christ up until the Rapture are disembodied souls whose bodies have literally decomposed or dissolved into the elements over thousands of years. All will be raised and given a new, perfect body that is incorrupt, imperishable and without sin. We will no longer grow old, be subject to illness or disease. We won't even have a single pimple or freckle on our face. We will see Christ as He is and be just like Him in a glorious state for eternity.
So when do we really need to have use and purpose for a glorious body? It is for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven as the Bride of Christ, in the Millennial Kingdom here on earth when we rule with Christ over man and the nations and after the 1,000 years are over, on the New Earth and New Heaven. |
"4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." Rev 20:4-6 (L) (N) (S) |
AT THE SECOND COMING, THERE IS A TRANSFORMATION OF THE BRAVE MARTYRS WHO WILL RECEIVE GLORIFIED BODIES THAT ENABLE THEM TO RULE WITH KING JESUS AS PRIESTS IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM WHILE THE UNGODLY 'DEAD' AWAIT A THOUSAND YEARS TO BE JUDGED AT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE. (L) (N) (S)
The martyrs are found to be righteous to be priests in the Millennial Kingdom which advances the rule of God that was first set for Israel where governing and priestly authority were one and the same under God. |
| 9 |
"12 And I beheld when he had opened the SIXTH SEAL, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Rev 6:12-17 (Capitals added) |
AT THE RAPTURE, TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE DELIVERED FROM THE WRATH TO COME AND ESCAPE THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN WORLD HISTORY (B) (H)
This passage describes just one of the many frightening events on earth when God's wrath is unleashed on the ungodly. The most dignified of the world's leaders and the most courageous of mighty warriors, will tremble in their uniforms. The so-called mightiest and most formidable armies and their most technologically advanced arsenal will be useless in these circumstances. The roar of Top Gun will become a whimper. Picture the combined strength of the US, Russia and China and all the nucleur powers. They will be rendered impotent. The bravest of hearts will tremble with fear when a global earthquake of magnitude breaks through the top end of the Richter scale, shaking mountains and islands out of their place.
The true followers of Jesus will be delivered from these events, just as Noah was safely in the ark when God destroyed the ungodly world. |
"1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan 12:1-3 (F) (G) (H)
"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 (2nd Coming) to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." Isa 26:20-21 (F) (G) (H) (I)
"31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." Joel 2:32 (I) (J) |
AT THE SECOND COMING, THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN WORLD AND JEWISH HISTORY IS ALSO A TIME OF BLESSING FOR THE JEWS WHOSE NAMES ARE IN THE BOOK OF LIFE. (F) (G) (I) (J)
During the second half 3.5 years of the Tribulation when the Antichrist reigns and goes on his murderous rampage against the Jews and those that reject the 666 mark of the beast, God will assign Michael to keep a remnant of Jews hidden and safe from the Antichrist. They will eventually be amongst the new citizens of the Millennial Kingdom.
The second half of Great Tribulation will be the one and only time in the entire history of the world when it will experience a time of trouble such as never was and never will be. And yet, God will use that same time of the greatest desperation and fear of being wiped out, to turn repentant Jewish hearts to Christ. |
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"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. 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." Rev 19:7-9 (B) (D)
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isa 61:10 |
AT THE RAPTURE, THE LAMB COMES TO TAKE HIS BRIDE TO THE BRIDAL HOME IN HEAVEN. (B) (D)
Just as in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matt 25:10), the Lamb's Bride has made herself ready by the Lamb's blood and awaits the arrival of Jesus the groom to receive her and take her to the marriage supper.
The Rapture is when the groom arrives in mid-air to receive the Bride to heaven (1 Thess 4:16-17)
The marriage supper of the Lamb is immediately after the Rapture and celebrates the Marriage of the Lamb to His bride and consummation for an eternal life of bliss In the New Heaven and New Earth. |
"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. 15 And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a Name written, King of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." Rev 19:15-16 Rev 19:11-16 (I) (J)
"19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." Rev 19:19-21 (I) (J) |
AT THE SECOND COMING, THE LAMB COMES WITH HIS BRIDE (WIFE) AND ARMY OF ANGELS FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH TO JUDGE AND PUT AN END TO THE ANTICHRIST, THE FALSE PROPHET AND THEIR UNGODLY FOLLOWERS. (I) (J)
After the 7-year marriage supper of the Lamb and consummation with His bride the church, heaven opens to reveal the Lamb and His bride together with God's army of angels riding towards the earth. This contrasts sharply with the joyous event of the first part of Rev 19 when the Lamb arrives in mid-air to fetch His bride.
This is also spoken of in 1 Thess 3:13
Rev 19:11-21 sees the beginning of the end of the Great tribulation wrath of the Lamb. The Lamb is "clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:" which is a picture of the Lord's vengeance in Rom 12:19.
The brief 3.5-year reign of the Antichrist and False Prophet in the Tribulation comes to an abrupt halt and predictable end. They are both cast alive into the lake of fire to be eternally tormented. What is left of the their army is slain with just a single command from the Lord. The fowls of the air feast on their corpses. Their damned souls will be judged one final time at the Great White Throne at the end of the 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom. |
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"10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." Rev 22:10-15 (A) (B) |
AT THE RAPTURE, THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH WILL NOT WITNESS JESUS ARRIVING FROM HEAVEN AND IT WILL JUST BE ANOTHER REGULAR, 'DAY IN THE LIFE' OF NON-BELIEVERS (A) (B)
The Bible writes of the day that God has designated the Rapture to take place to be another regular, ordinary day even to those who are about to be raptured. Born again believers will not be receiving a notification to freshen up, wear our Sunday best and sit and wait for the trumpet to sound and announce Jesus' arrival in mid-air. So the soon-to-be-raptured in all time zones at all hours of the day, will be alongside their workplace colleagues, or cycling in the park, or watching a movie, or while serving a customer or being served, or asleep next to their unsaved spouses ... will "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor 15:52) literally vanish into thin air. The moment that happens, the gloriously transformed believer is set free from sin and this sinful world and will experience unbridled joy that no living person can talk about because we who are alive as believers, are still sinners in our flesh. |
"And Jesus said, I am: and YE SHALL SEE the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:62 (I)
"29 IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and THEY SHALL SEE the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matt 24:29-30 (I) (Capitals added)
"25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then SHALL THEY SEE the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21:25-27 (I)
"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM, AND THEY ALSO WHICH PIERCED HIM: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." Rev 1:7 (I) |
IN THE SECOND COMING, THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH WILL WITNESS JESUS ARRIVING FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL WAIL WITH MOURNING AND SORROW INSTEAD OF REJOICING. (I)
Jesus' Second Coming comes immediately after the end of the 7-year Tribulation (Matt 24:29). Science explains that when the sun stops shining, the earth begins to freeze and all vegetation will start to cease. The cataclysmic upheaval in heaven will impact the earth. The whole world will experience a fearful situation. Jesus' arrival is being announced and the world will know that the frightening events are supernatural and linked to God's anger and they dread His appearance knowing that the time of judgment is about to take place.
Those who get to see Jesus' Second Coming are those who survive the tribulation comprising both the ungodly and those who turned to the Lord by rejecting the Antichrist and his 666 mark.
Even the Roman soldiers and Jews from 2,000 years ago who crucified (pierced) Jesus will see His Second Coming. They and every ungodly person throughout history will be raised for judgment at the end of the Lamb's Millennial Kingdom rule (Rev 20:7,11) when He will sit on the Great White throne. We call it 'the judgment of the dead' as evident in Rev 20:11-13. Contrast this with a different set of "the dead" who "shall be raised incorruptible," 1 Cor 15:52 |
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"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. 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." Rev 19:7-9 (D) |
AT THE RAPTURE THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB TAKES PLACE IN HEAVEN. (D)
There are two separate and distinct suppers in the End Times. After the Lamb comes in the Rapture to take up His Bride the true church of righteous saints, a marriage celebration takes place in heaven. This event is joyful for the Lord and His Bride who is filled with gladness and rejoicing. This 'officially' establishes the Lamb's bride as His wife on the throne.
Five critical points in Rev 19:7-9 differentiates this supper from the supper in Rev 19:17-18:
1. This is a marriage supper of the Lamb
2. It is hosted by God for His Son Jesus, the Lamb of God as the guest-of-honor
3. The other guest-of-honor is the Lamb's wife, the church of born again Christians
4. It takes place in heaven
5. It is a blessed event |
"And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord God; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to My sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood." Eze 39:17 (J)
"27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together." Matt 24:27-28 (J)
"17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great." Rev 19:17-18 (J) |
BEFORE THE SECOND COMING. THE SUPPER OF GOD TAKES PLACE ON EARTH. (J)
Where Adam and man are supposed to have dominion over the fowl of the air (Gen 1:26), God humiliates rebellious man by letting the unclean fowls of the air 'have dominion' over man and tear the flesh of kings, captains and mighty men to bits. Ezekiel first prophesies this supper of God that will be on earth taking place at the Lord's Second Coming after the marriage supper of the Lamb to His bride the church. This event contrasts with the event in heaven as it is obviously filled with God's wrath and it is utter carnage, violent and bloody.
Five critical references are used in Rev 19:17-18 that contrasts with Rev 19:7-9:
1. This supper has nothing to do with marriage but it is voracious devouring
2. It is hosted by God for unclean fowls of the air as the guests
3. It is a gruesome and violent event
4. It brings low the supposedly high position and authority of kings and mighty men
5. It takes place on earth |
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"28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matt 19:28
"16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles." Zec 14:16-19
"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." Rev 5:10 |
THE RAPTURE STARTS THE CHAIN OF EVENTS LEADING TO THE SETTING UP OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM REIGN OF KING JESUS ON EARTH (O)
In heaven, only Jesus is the Judge of the souls of man but here on earth, the Lord will appoint the disciples twelve thrones to judge the Jews in the day-to-day affairs of life in the Millennial Kingdom.
A strict rule to keep the feast of tabernacles will be instituted.
Today, this has not been realized. Neither the true church of Jesus nor the Jews rule as kings and priests with Christ, reigning on the earth. The Millennial Kingdom will bring this to pass. |
"9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Dan 7:9-10 (S)
"44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." Dan 2:44-45 (O)
"27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom." (2nd Coming) Matt 16:27-28 (S) |
AT THE SECOND COMING, AFTER ALL EARTHLY THRONES ARE CAST DOWN THE LAMB'S JUDGMENT THRONE IS SET UP AND HERALD IN THE LORD'S MILLENNIAL KINGDOM ON EARTH. (O) (S)
There will be one throne and only one that will be established when Christ returns. In the presence of His bride and the angels from heaven, judgment begins and the book of every person will be opened, their works judged and they are found guilty of sin, not having repented of their works and rejecting the salvation gift of God through Christ when the opportunity was given to them.
All earthly ruling systems such as kingdoms, republics, democracies, rogue dictatorships, etc as we know them, will be crushed into non-existence and replaced by Christ's Kingdom rule on planet earth from Jerusalem. There will be one throne established by Christ but it is not a dictatorship because the Lord is the only righteous King the world will ever know and will rule justly and fairly. |
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"26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father." Rev 2:26-27 (O)
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Rev 3:21 (O) |
THE RAPTURE SETS APART GOD'S RIGHTEOUS SAINTS AND THE TRIBULATION SAINTS AND SHEEP WHO WILL RULE WITH HIM IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM. (O)
The Lamb will rule the Millennial Kingdom with His bride the raptured church. Their place in the Millennial Kingdom will be as glorified saints over the human citizenship made up of the 'sheep' set apart from the 'goats' at Christ's Second Coming.
The Lord's righteous rule will be strict but just. We who love the righteousness of God and hate sin, welcome such a reign but to the new citizens, who are still human with sin, Christ's rule will feel like a rod of iron on their backs (Gal 5:17) |
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;" 2 Tim 4:1 (I) (L) (M) (N) (O)
"31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered ALL nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left ... 41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" Matt 25:31-33,41 (M) (N)
"30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall ALL the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt 24:30-31 (M)
"27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works." Matt 16:27 (M) (N)
"13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccle 12:13-14 |
AT THE SECOND COMING, IT IS A TIME OF REWARD FOR THE THE SHEEP WHO WILL ENTER THE LORD'S MILLENNIAL KINGDOM AS ITS FIRST GENERATION CITIZENS. IT IS ALSO A TIME OF JUDGMENT FOR THE GOATS WHO ARE BANISHED TO AWAIT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT AFTER THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM. (I) (M) (N) (S)
Contrast the helpless-looking, bloodied Christ on the Cross at the mercy of man, with Christ at the Second Coming when He returns to a throne of glory to separate the sheep from the goats. The Tribulation elect gathered by the angels consists of the remnant Jews who turned to Jesus during the Tribulation and the Gentiles who believed on God and rejected the Antichrist, are are counted for righteousness (Rom 4:1-5). He weighs the good works of people (the sheep) in the Tribulation who risk and give their lives to protect and care for God's people who are persecuted by the Antichrist (Matt 16:27). This parallels John 15:3 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus considers the sheep His friends by their works, telling them "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." and rewards them as the first to be saved and enter the Millennial Kingdom. (Matt 25:34). We must note that the Tribulation period is after the Rapture and is post-church age salvation by grace.
Matt 25:41-46 explains the reasons for the goats not deserving to enter the Millennial Kingdom.
This is NOT the same as the final Great White Throne judgment at the end of the Millennial Kingdom (Rev 20:7,11-15) where once and for all, the spiritually dead from all of history, those whose names are not found in the book of life will be judged and given bodies to last the eternal torment in the lake fo fire that God had created specifically for Satan and the fallen angels. |
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"4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His Name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 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. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev 13:4-8
"4 And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. 5 For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. 6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? 7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it." Jer 30:4-11 |
THE RAPTURE TRIGGERS THE RISE OF SATAN AND START OF THE 7-YEAR TRIBULATION DURING WHICH GOD WILL ALLOW SATAN TO RISE TO THE PEAK OF HIS AMBITION TO BE WORSHIPPED AS 'GOD' AND TO PERSECUTE THE TRIBULATION SAINTS AND THE JEWS (E) (F) (G)
Satan has all the while been on a short leash ever since he deceived Adam and Eve. The devil is alert to man's sin and uses man to cause hurt, sorrow and pain. Whether it is a terrorist with a bomb or an online abuser with a keyboard, Satan can fuel the sin at work in the flesh.
During the Tribulation, God will lengthen the leash on Satan and allow him to run riot. God has a purpose for this. Firstly, it will sift those who follow God from those who follow the Satan-possessed Antichrist. Secondly, God's chosen nation Israel which is today largely secular, economically strong, very affluent and has one of the most formidable armies, will be brought to its knees and a point of desperation where they will be hated by the world and so badly overrun that they will fear being wiped out as a people. This is where a remnant will plead with God and in the process, Jesus will be revealed to them as the Messiah Savior of their lives and their souls, and they will embrace Him as their Lord. |
"1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season." Rev 20:1-3 (K) |
AT THE SECOND COMING, SATAN IS CHAINED AND IMPRISONED IN THE BOTTOMLESS PIT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS. (K)
Ever since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Satan has been deceiving the whole world (Rev 12:9). Upon Jesus's arrival, the command is issued to an angel to bind him and shut him in the bottomless pit for a 1,000 years which is the timeframe of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ's rule on earth. |
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"17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 1 Peter 4:17-18 (C)
"2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: ... 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor 5:2,9-10 (C)
"11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Cor 3:11-15 (C)
"But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Rom 14:10 (C) |
FOLLOWING THE RAPTURE, THE LORD WILL JUDGE THE SAVED AT THE BEMA JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST AND THEY WILL RECEIVE REWARDS COMMENSURATE WITH WORKS THAT WERE KINGDOM-FOCUSED. (C)
When Paul spoke to the church at Corinth, he says to them "For ye are yet carnal:" (1 Cor 3:3). Paul warned them the Corinthian believers of their worldly mindset and attitudes and needed to grow in their spiritual maturity by building their life on Christ and not on worldly foundations.
Paul goes on to express that in God's economy, the believer that labors to fulfill Kingdom purposes will be justly rewarded. Given that we are saved by grace and not by works, the reference to "works" refers to the believer whose works are a product of a Christ-centred life and these labors for the Kingdom will be justly rewarded at the Bema judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor 3:11--15) |
"5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished ... 11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev 20:5,:11-15 (S)
"38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matt 13:38-42 (S)
"26 For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; 27 And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:26-29 (S) |
AFTER THE SECOND COMING, FAST FORWARD 1,000 YEARS TO THE END OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM, THE UNSAVED DEAD SINCE THE FIRST MAN ADAM, WHOSE NAMES ARE NOT FOUND IN THE BOOK OF LIFE ARE JUDGED BY JESUS AT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE SET UP ON EARTH. (S)
Rev 20:5 speaks of the judgment of "the dead" who will be once more living at the end of the 1,000 years? Picture the Lord on His judgment throne with the book of the sinner's life opened. "Works" cannot redeem any sinner and in this passage, it refers to the ungodly works and sin in that person's lifetime that justifies God's righteous judgment against that person. It is an airtight case for the prosecution. The Lord also opens the book of lifeand yes the souls of the dead whose names are not written in it will be cast into the lake of fire. The dead will be given bodies designed to experience eternal torment and pain while the saved in Christ will also be embodied, designed to live in eternal glory in the new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1)
It is also critically important to note Rev 20:14 which says that death and hell will be henceforth forever removed. After death and hell has delivered up the dead to be judged (Rev 20:13), death and hell is cast into the lake of fire. From this point on, God has no further need for death and hell as there will no longer be human beings and sin. |
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"1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3 (V) |
AT THE RAPTURE, JESUS ARRIVES TO GIVE BELIEVERS A GLORIOUS BODY TO LIVE IN AN EMBODIED STATE FIRSTLY IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM AND THEN ETERNALLY IN THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH. (O) (V)
Paradise or Heaven as we know it is merely our transitory 'home' where we exist as a spirit in a disembodied state ie. we have no 'physical' form. There is a final and permanent residence for believers and God intends for us to live eternally in a glorious body just like Christ's (Phi 3:21) when He appeared to the disciples following His crucifixion. Raptured saints will receive incorruptible and immortal bodies suited to physical life in the Millennial kingdom on earth for 1,000 years and after which we will be permanently residing with God and Christ in the New Heaven and New Earth. This is the eternal place that the Lord has prepared for us after He destroys the current heavens and earth by fire. In John 14:1-3 Jesus assures believers that they will be welcomed into the new place He prepares and He Himself will receive us. |
"7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Rev 20:7-10 (P) (Q) (R) |
AT THE SECOND COMING, FAST FORWARD 1,000 YEARS TO THE END OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM, SATAN IS LOOSED FOR A SHORT WHILE TO DECEIVE THE WORLD TO GO AGAINST JESUS IN JERUSALEM AND IS FINALLY CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE (O) (P)
When Satan was imprisoned (Rev 20:1-3), he was unable to deceive the nations. However, he is able to so easily from when he left off a 1,000 years before, simply because man is inherently sinful and their hearts reject Christ's righteous rule. The inhabitants on earth would comprise descendants of the first sheep citizens of the Millennial Kingdom. Several generations later, they are no different than the inhabitants of the earth who blasphemed God during the Great Tribulation. Obviously over time during the 1,000 years of Christ's just rule, public resentment was building up and they were ready to want to overthrow the Lord the moment they found a leader in the released Satan. |
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"1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:1-13 (H) (U) (V) |
BEFORE THE RAPTURE, PETER REMINDS THE BELOVED OF GOD, OF WHOM WE ALSO ARE, THE LORD'S PROMISE THAT TRUE BELIEVERS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH BY FIRE. (H) (U) (V)
The highlights Peter stirs up that the believers had been taught are:
1. The subject matter is of the promised Lord's Second Coming, the Last Days, the day of the Lord and the New Heavens and New Earth for the Lamb's beloved Bride of true believers
2. True believers in Jesus are "beloved" (v1,8). This is significant to affirm that God has us in His heart and the day of the Lord is a day of wrath directed specifically at the ungodly. Several verses testify to this.
3. True believers are kept informed of the fiery events of the day of the Lord but are directed (v2) to look forward to God's promise of new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is and sin is non-existent (v13). We are not like the scoffers who choose to be ignorant of past events and prophecies that are soon coming to pass. |
"7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:7-10 (U) |
FOR THE SECOND COMING, GOD WILL NOT WANT TO KEEP A SIN-INFESTED, CORRUPT AND UNCLEAN HEAVEN AND EARTH, AND WHEN THESE HAVE SERVED THEIR PURPOSE, THEY WILL BE LITERALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE. (U)
The godly repent and believe by faith in Jesus as the propitiation for their sins. The ungodly reject God's gift of salvation through Jesus, thinking that they are morally good enough and have no need to repent of sin. God in His foreknowledge of the state of the earth and the heavens when sin runs its course, had decided before the creation that He will destroy the current heavens and earth, and wipe out ungodly men in one final global scale of righteous destruction. |
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Version 22.0.1 |
