Biblical proof for the Rapture

[Brother Jerm]

the ark. God had told him it was going to rain for 40 days and 40 nights and Noah
believed the LORD. But in the end, the total number of people saved on the ark
was indeed a remnant, 8 people in all!
“…the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while
the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were
saved by water.” 1 Peter 3:20b
After Noah and his family entered the ark, how many were saved as the wrath
of God fell upon the world in the form of a flood? Zero! Not one person was left
behind to preach to the masses about the salvation of the Lord.
“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.”
Luke 17:28-30
Lot lived in one of the most godless places in the ancient world, known as
Sodom. This metropolis was comparable to New York City or San Francisco here
in the United States. Plagued by rampant homosexuality, it is from the name of
this city that we get the word sodomy. The Bible says that righteous Lot was
vexed by the wickedness of Sodom.
“And [the LORD turned] the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into
ashes [condemning] them with an overthrow, making them an
ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And
delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the
wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing
and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their
unlawful deeds).” 2 Peter 2:6-8
When the LORD told Abraham of His intention to destroy the cities of Sodom
and Gomorrah:
“…Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the
righteous with the wicked?” Genesis 18:23
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Angels were sent to Sodom to take Lot and his family from that place before the
wrath of God fell upon it.
“And there came two angels to Sodom at even…And when the
morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take
thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be
consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the
men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife,
and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being
merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him
without the city.” Genesis 19:1; 15-16
Sodom and Gomorrah were completely wiped off the face of the Earth. How
many were saved in those cites after the wrath of God fell? The same as in the
days of Noah – absolutely none!
Although Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins, Hal Lindsay and their ilk have made a
fortune teaching the ------ that multitudes will be saved after the Rapture, there
is absolutely no basis in scripture for this teaching.
Persecution and Apostasy
Persecution for righteousness sake is evidence that a person or fellowship is
following the Lord and the leadership of the Holy Spirit
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated
you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but
because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the
world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:18-19
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Philippians 1:29
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
In these Last Days, the Antichrist and the One World Church will indeed
persecute the True Believers.
“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to
overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and
tongues, and nations.” Revelation 13:7
According to the Word of God, two things must occur before Christ appears in
the clouds to gather His Bride.
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“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.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Jesus told His disciples that persecution would cause many of those that
profess His Name to deny Him and turn on True Christians.
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another,
and shall hate one another.” Matthew 24:10
In the parable of the seeds (Matthew chapter 13), Jesus describes seed that
falls on rocky ground.
“Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth:
and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of
earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and
because they had no root, they withered away.” Matthew 13:5-6
Another cause of apostasy is --------- teachings and ecumenism. There is no
root in the Christian that has been fed a diet of error, lies and religious harlotry.
“Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for (not if,
but) when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word,
by and by he is offended (and falls away).” Matthew 13:21
Although the ------- of ecumenism have convinced a church gorged on
promises of prosperity and escapism that they will all be snatched away before
the son of perdition comes to power, this is absolute ------.
The Sixth Seal, the Sign of the Son of Man
As recorded in the Book of Matthew, when the abomination of desolation is set
up, it begins what Jesus called “great tribulation”.
“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:) Then let them which be in Judaea
flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not
come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him
which is in the field return back to take his clothes: And woe
unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those
days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on
the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was
not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever
shall be.” Matthew 24:15-21
286
He then went on to say what would happen after the tribulation:
“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.” Matthew 24:29 (emphasis mine)
There are other references to this occurrence mentioned in the Word of God.
“And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood,
and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into
darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the
terrible day of the LORD come.” Joel 2:30-31
These scriptures in Matthew and Joel refer to the Sixth Seal in the Book of
Revelation.
“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; 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. And the heaven departed
as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and
island were moved out of their places.” Revelation 6:12-14
It is when the Sixth Seal is broken open that the word wrath is mentioned for
the first time.
“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

cont.

[Brother Jerm]

the rocks of the mountains; 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?”
Revelation 6:15-17
After the Sixth Seal is opened, there is no evidence of anyone being saved.
The Word of God openly states that after the seal is opened: “They repented
not!” Then the Seventh Seal is opened which contain the 7 Trumpets and the 7
Vials of plagues (the Wrath of God) loosed on the Earth.
287
“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:
Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries,
nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”
Revelation 9:20-21 (emphasis mine)
Also consider that when Jesus Christ returns and does battle at Armageddon,
the Word of God says that He comes with all of His saints.
“And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of
the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye
fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of
Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints
with thee.” Zechariah 14:5 (emphasis mine)
How could the LORD return with all the saints, if some of them were saved after
the Rapture? Up until the time that the Sixth Seal is opened Christians will be
suffering tribulation. There is much contained in the Word of God surrounding the
opening of this seal.
The Lord Appears in the clouds to gather His elect:
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds
with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels,
and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the
uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.”
Mark 13:26-27
He harvests His wheat from the Earth and throws the tares or grapes as they
are called into the winepress of the wrath of God.
“Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of
harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares,
and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat
into my barn.” Matthew 13:30
“And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud
one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden
crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came
out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the
cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for
thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat
on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was
reaped.” Revelation 14:14-16
288
“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven,
he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from
the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to
him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle,
and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are
fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and
gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress
of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the
city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse
bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”
Revelation 14:17-20
The most dangerous part of this ------ teaching about a Pre-Tribulation
Rapture is that it has convinced Christians that they will all be gone before the
Antichrist appears. Saturated in the spirit of ------, modern Christians fattened
on the diet of a health and wealth gospel, are unprepared to:
“…endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
2 Timothy 2:3
Because they have listened to the false ecumenical shepherds, how many
Christians will have exercised their faith and allowed it to be tested – so that
when the Mark of the beast comes, (when no one will be able to buy or sell
without the mark), they will have the faith to trust God?
“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free
and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their
foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had
the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
Revelation 13:16-17
How many will be able to watch as their loved ones suffer for their faith, truly
knowing and believing (because they have already been tried in the fire) that the
Word of God is sure!
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches
in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Or will have the faith to make the same proclamation as the three Hebrew lads
in Babylon!
289
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the
king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in
this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver
us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of
thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,
that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image
which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 (emphasis mine)
Notice that they were saved in the midst of the fire (tribulation) NOT before it!
“And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell
down in the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then
Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste and
spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men
bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto
the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four
men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no
hurt; and the fourth is like the Son of God. Then
Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery
furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and
come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came
forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and
captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw
these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an
hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor
the smell of fire had passed on them.” Daniel 3:23-27
According to the Word of God, anyone that takes the Mark of the Beast, even
though they may be a professing Christian, will lose their place in the Kingdom of
God and be cast into the Lake of Fire.
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If
any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark
in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine
of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into
the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire
and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the
presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment
ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor
night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever
receiveth the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11
290

cont.

[Brother Jerm]

The True Christians will be subjected to the Antichrist for 42 months, or
approximately three and a half years!
“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.” Revelation 13:5
“…and [the saints] shall be given into his hand until a time and
times and the dividing of time (approximately 3 ½ years).”
Daniel 7:25b
The Tribulation is the wrath of Satan, unleashed against the followers of Christ.
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil
is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth
that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12
Teaching doctrines concerning the Last Days and especially the Book of
Revelation is something every person that claims to follow Christ should do with
godly fear.
By changing the times appointed by God, these false and ---------- shepherds
have substituted the human invention of the Rapture occurring at the beginning
of the so-called 7-Year Tribulation, with the truth concerning the Sixth Seal.
As with Christmas and Easter, it is the spirit of antichrist to change the times
appointed by the LORD.
“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall
wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times
and laws…” Daniel 7:25a
They have added to the prophecies contained in the Book of Revelation with
the proclamation of multitudes being saved after the Lord Appears in the clouds
to gather His Bride. By removing the warning for Christians that the Antichrist will
be in power and Mark of the Beast will happen in the Last days while they are still
here, they have taken away from the Book.
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the
prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of
this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of
life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are
written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19 (emphasis mine)
291
!


---
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Brother Jeremy

[Soldier4Christ]

Brother Jerm,

I do believe that you are making a very grave misunderstanding. You or whoever wrote that piece is coming off very self righteous. It is as though you believe that you are the only one that God has given any revelations to and that if anyone believes contrary to you that they are sinning and going to hell.

1Co 8:2  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

1Co 4:5  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1Co 4:6  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
1Co 4:7  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.


Mar 13:35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mar 13:36  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.


Mar 13:37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

[Shammu]

For some of the newer Christians, who don't know whats going on.
Pre-Trib, Where Christ will Rapture the church BEFORE the Tribulation even begins.

Mid-Trib, Where Christ will Rapture the church at the MID-POINT of the Tribulation.

Post Trib, Where Christ will Rapture the church at the END of the Tribulation.

Pre-Wrath, Where Christ will Rapture the church JUST BEFORE the Battle of Armageddon.

Partial Rapture, Where Christ will Rapture those WHO ARE READY and leave the rest to go through the Tribulation.

Trib-Pan, or Pan-Trib, Think it will "All pan out in the End"    
______________________________________________________

Some major areas of problem with your view, Brother Jerm.

God Has Not Appointed Us to Wrath

John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"

Ephesians 5:6 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."

Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him"

In the above verses we see a very clear distinction between; who will taste of God's wrath and who will not.

Paul assures us that God has not appointed us unto wrath ...

1 Thess 1:10 "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

1 Thess 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.."

This wrath being; God's anger that will be poured out during the Tribulation.

Don't get this confused with the John 16:33 "In the world ye shall have tribulation.." This is in reference to the trials and tribulations that this world brings. We certainly have our sufferings here - some more than others. But this is not the same as the Great Tribulation where God pours out His wrath ... That time will be unparalleled by any!

Matt 24:21 "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 24:29 "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"

Rev 6:16-17 "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 11:18 "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.  

More, Rev 14:10, 14:19  Rev 15:1, 15:7  Rev 16:1, 16:19  Rev 19:15

Rapture and Second Coming are Very Different Events, Brother Jerm.

Some are often surprised at how many do not realize there are distinct differences in God's Word between the description of the Rapture and that of the Second Coming of Christ. These are two totally different events. Some people refer to them as one & the same. Here are just some of the obvious differences,

The Rapture...........
Seen Only by Believers ... 1 Corinthians 15:52
It's a Mystery - revealed by Paul in the New Testament ... 1Corinthians 15:51-53
In a Twinkling of an Eye ... 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
We are Going "UP" - Meeting Jesus in the Air ... 1 Thes 4:15-18
A Thief in the Night.... 1Thessalonians 5:2
Christ Comes for His Own ... 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Believers taken to Father's House ... John 14:3
No reference to Satan ...
Earth not judged ...

The Second Coming..........
Every Eye Will See Him ... Revelation 1:7 19:11-16 and Matthew 24:30
Not a Mystery - Foretold in Old Testament ... Daniel 12:1-3 and Zech. 12:10; 14:4
He will be Coming "DOWN" to the Mount of Olives ... Zechariah 14
He Comes With His Own ... Revelation 19:14 *
Satan bound ... Revelation 20:1-3
Earth judged ... Revelation 20:4-5

Revelation 19:14 speaking of the Second Coming reads; "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."

At the Second Coming, He is not coming alone. Rather those who had been raptured earlier are coming back with him!

Jude 1:14 ... Enoch also, prophesied about this saying;
"Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints."
Interesting that Enoch was also Raptured! Genesis 5:24

In a post-trib rapture scenario, we would rise in the air meet the Lord, then turn do a 180 back down to earth. Zech. 14:4 tells us His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. If He is already headed our way, why would we need to be caught up to meet Him?

Resting in the Lords arms.
Bob

1 Corinthians 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

[Jemidon2004]

why must we concern ourselves "WHEN" He is coming. We know He's coming back..though I pray before the Tribulation period. I have my own theological stance on the Rapture that I have made clear in posts from close to a year ago. However, I've since learned not to focus on that, but to keep the mindset that it WILL happen, and when it does...what a glorious day that will be. There are many more things we must concern ourselves with and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the main thing. So, Yes I am pre-trib, however, it's not worth breaking fellowship over, that's one thing God's showing me while i'm in college. Even so, I echo the words of John "Even so COME, Lord Jesus" that is my cry, this is my prayer Come NOW and save us from this turmoil and pain we daily carry. Just a few thoughts.

Coram Deo,
Joshua

[Soldier4Christ]

why must we concern ourselves "WHEN" He is coming. We know He's coming back..though I pray before the Tribulation period. I have my own theological stance on the Rapture that I have made clear in posts from close to a year ago. However, I've since learned not to focus on that, but to keep the mindset that it WILL happen, and when it does...what a glorious day that will be. There are many more things we must concern ourselves with and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the main thing. So, Yes I am pre-trib, however, it's not worth breaking fellowship over, that's one thing God's showing me while i'm in college. Even so, I echo the words of John "Even so COME, Lord Jesus" that is my cry, this is my prayer Come NOW and save us from this turmoil and pain we daily carry. Just a few thoughts.

Coram Deo,
Joshua

Amen, Jemidon.

Luk 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.


1Co 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

[curious]

      Amen Jemidon:

    I think that the arguement about PreTrib,MidTrib,PostTrib or No Rapture is splitting up denominations & even congregations about if & when.You should just live as you are supposed to live in God,so people can see Him glowing through you.First & foremost being a witness by your life.
The rapture,or lack of it doesn't matter,or shouldn't matter in our lives with God.Live each second as if He's coming THAT second.
       Live your life for Him & watch for His 2nd coming,but don't get so hooked up on the rapture.


                      Yours in Yeshua,
                      curious

[khowgirl]

Hi,I am new here.I have enjoyed reading all the views on this topic,and I would like to respond...
I believe in a Pre-Trib Rapture.Why,there are many reasons,but my favorite is 2 Thesalonians2:6

I believe that the Holy Spirit is holding back the rise of the antichrist,and when he is moved out of the way,or leaves, we must accompany him,because we are promised an indwelling of the Holy Spirit,and when he is taken away,so will we be taken away.Thus,the Rapture...khowgirl

[nChrist]

Hello KhowGirl,

I share your opinion, but I give thanks that many Christians with varying opinions are learning this topic can be discussed without anyone getting upset or angry. In fact, it is a fascinating topic if someone wants to study all of the portions of Scripture that apply.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 1:17 NASB  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

[Shammu]

Hello khowGirl,again there is an excelent study done by Paul 2. Paul2's Pre-Tribulation Rapture pages <--click the link

[khowgirl]

Thanks ya'll for a warm welcome...I am reading through you link on Rapture,and I am enjoying it.Thanks again...khowgirl

[Chaplain Bob]

Our Catholic friends seem to think that the Rapture is not a Biblical teaching.

There's no doubt that the Bible teaches a "catching up" (rapture) of the Believers.  The big debate is when.  Sadly this non-salvation issue has divided the Body ever since it came into existence in the 19th century.

I wondered about the popularly taught theories for decades until, I believe, the Lord revealed to me what is going to happen (not WHEN but WHAT).

When the Lord returns He will establish His Millennial Kingdom here on this Earth.  For that thousand years those who have rejected God's plan of salvation and Satan and his demons will be removed from this Earth (Psalm 37: 9-11, 20, 22, 29, Matt. 24: 40-41).  I understand the Lord to say those represented in those verses are NOT the Believers.

At the end of the thousand year Kingdom the Believers will be removed and God will cast Satan, his demons and those who rejected His plan of salvation back down to Earth for the "Great Tribulation".  After that God will destroy this Earth and the Heavens and create a New Earth, Heavens and the New Jerusalem (See Rev. 21).  Our eternal home will be the New Earth (NOT Heaven as has been taught by many because Heaven is GOD'S domain, "headquarters" so to speak, where all the records and rewards are kept).  We have been taught that we will go to Heaven based on the Scripture where Jesus said He was going to sit at the right hand of God and that we would be with Him.  That is based on the erroneous assumption that Jesus never leaves Heaven and that is where He is preparing a place for us.

I know this view of the end-times will rattle some cages and perhaps even upset some because they have bought into one of the popular "Rapture" theories.  But you need to remember two things:  1. This is not a salvation issue and 2: I'm just the messenger.

[Lampstand]

Chaplain Bob,

Could you provide scriptural support for the following statement from your last post?

At the end of the thousand year Kingdom the Believers will be removed and God will cast Satan, his demons and those who rejected His plan of salvation back down to Earth for the "Great Tribulation".

First of all, what scriptural support can you provide that indicates believers being "removed" at the end of the millenium?  Then, when does scripture imply that there is a "great tribulation" AFTER the return of Jesus Christ?

Thanks.

[Lampstand]

In case I am unable to return to this discussion board any time soon, I would like to so ahead and share what scripture is clear about regarding the “end things”.

Revelation basically sums up what the prophets foretold would occur and what Jesus Christ Himself told us about the end of the ages, along with some of the other writers of the New Testament bringing light to a seemingly mysterious topic…the end of the ages.

There are several aspects of scripture that tie in together.  Without understanding them individually, the bigger picture will never be understood.

God's seven Holy Days (found in Leviticus 23) foreshadow His plan of salvation for mankind.  Four of the events that the Holy Days foreshadow have not yet occurred.  They are, briefly: a)the return of Christ/ harvest of the firstfruits (Feast of Trumpets), b)the binding of Satan for 1000 years (the Day of Atonement), c)the millennial reign of Christ (the Feast of Tabernacles), and d)the greatest harvest/opportunity of salvation (the Great Last Day).

Most Christians are so busy keeping Babylonian holy days (Christmas, Easter, etc) and minding the world’s system that they are completely unaware of God's Holy Days and the tremendous significance of them.  Understanding what they mean brings greater understanding to Revelation 20 and 21.

At the end of the millenium, Satan is loosed for a "season", the resurrection of the "rest of the dead" takes place, and the Great White Throne judgment period begins.  Scripture indicates that the "books" will be opened and also the "book of life".  Ezekiel tells us in chapter 37 that many dead will be raised to fleshly bodies, which ties in with Revelation 20:5 and Revelation 20:12. 

So, here we have millions of newly resurrected people, Satan being loosed for a "season", and the "books" opened and the "book of life" opened.  We are also told that it is Satan's primary goal to deceive people during this time.  Those he deceives he will gather together to make one final attempt to quell the saints.  These rejecters of the grace of God, whose names are NOT found in the book of life, are cast into the lake of fire.  We are told that many others (Ezekiel 37) will respond to the outpouring of God's Spirit will believe and be saved.

The parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46) is the Great White Throne judgement.  Works do not save.  It is only by God's grace that he declares a sinner "righteous" through the blood of Jesus Christ.  However, a person's deeds done with pure motives will be the test of genuine faith.  That is why the parable of the sheep and goats SEEMS to say people are judged by what they do, because, in a sense, it is what they do from a pure heart that demonstrates their inward faith.  Revelation 20:12-15 speaks of this also, people are judged "according to their works".  It is only the works of the genuine believer that will stand the tests of the judgment period.

Now remember, all those "in Christ" prior to Christ's return were in the "first resurrection" and will not be subject to any further scrutiny regarding their position of eternal life (Rev. 20:6).  These "firstfruits" will have already reigned with Christ in glorified bodies during the millenium.  After the millenium they will obviously continue to minister the gospel to the newly resurrected unbelievers until the end of the Great White Throne period.

At the end of the Great White Throne period, all who are not found written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, along with Satan, and death and hell.  The "second death" is very final.  All unbelievers will PERISH (die, cease to live).  In fact, death will be no more and hell (the grave) will be no more.  (Revelation 20:14; I Corinthians 15:24-28)

There are many in mainstream Christianity have adopted the pagan belief that a soul is immortal.  Plato also embellished on this unbiblical idea.  This is what many churches ignorantly teach out of tradition.

However, scripture teaches that man is MORTAL, not immortal.  I Timothy 6:16 clearly states that ONLY GOD has immortality.  Anything he created, he can destroy (Matthew 10:28).  He GAVE Jesus Christ immortality when he raised him to life from the grave, just like he will give all believers immortality when Christ returns (I Corinthians 15:51-54; I Thessalonians 4:16-17).  Satan will be destroyed because he is not immortal (Ezekiel 28:18-19; Isaiah 14:15-16) So, basically, all that goes into the lake of fire is destroyed (Malachi 4:1-4)

Eternal life is a GIFT for those who believe, not a "given" for all that come into existence after an egg and sperm unite.  "For the wages of sin is DEATH (not live torture into the eons), but the GIFT OF GOD is ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Also, John 3:16 clearly delineates man's options, which are: a)to perish (die, cease to exist) or b)to have eternal life. 

The God I believe and trust and have faith in is not a sadist.  Scripture makes it very clear that He is not willing that ANY should perish, but if they do reject Him and die, they are put out of existence forever.  It is confusing to some to reconcile the words "everlasting punishment" with total abolishment of life (DEATH).  This simply means that the punishment of death can never be undone.  The EFFECTS of death are forever.  So, it is not endless punish-ING, but rather a punish-MENT, the EFFECTS of which will be everlasting.

So, by understanding the significance of God's Holy Days, one can then know that this is not the only age for salvation.  The resurrection of the "rest of the dead" will be the greatest harvest of God's people and will occur AFTER the millennium.  The Great White Throne judgment is a period and will last for a "season".  All who have ever lived will be given an opportunity to hear and believe. This is the most wonderful part of God's plan of salvation for mankind that most in mainstream Christianity never teach nor understand.

John 7:37-38 speaks of the Great Day of the Feast when Jesus Christ stood and cried, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."  This cross-references Revelation 21:6, "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."  Also, Ezekiel 37 tells us that many will be resurrected and God will put His Spirit in them.  These all reference the offering of salvation AFTER the millenium and during the Great White Throne period.

When all enemies are made Christ’s footstool (unbelievers, Satan and his forces, death itself – I Corinthians 15:25-26, Revelation 21:10, 14-15), he will turn the kingdom over to God the Father, who will be all in all.  The beautiful eternity we’ve all been waiting for commences without ONE ounce of sin, ugliness, tears, heartache, or sorrow (Revelation 21:1-5).