In our travels around this country, to bring the Gospel, we have encountered many different opinions of when the rapture will happen. I realize that the word rapture does not appear in the Bible, but the word rapture means a seizing or carrying away, to transport to another location and this act you will find in the scriptures.

I find it amazing, that so many debates go on about when the rapture will happen. The Bible is very clear when it will happen and I will use the Bible to prove that it is indeed real and when it will occur. I am not trying to set a date for the Lord’s return, I am merely showing you that it is soon upon us and the warning signs leading up to it are happening in this day and age.

God has laid out clear warning signs as to when Jesus Christ would return to call His own to be with Him forever, never to be outside His presence forever. Jesus tells us: And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars…For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places…And many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many..

Jesus here is speaking of the signs of the last days. He is laying out, to anyone with an ear to hear, when the end will come. Notice here, He is not setting dates, and goes to say who the only is who knows when this will happen. But of that day or hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son but the Father. Mark 13:32 Jesus tells us that not even He knows but only God the Father in heaven.

The Lord spoke very clearly of the events that would transpire in the end days, and warned us of great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world unto this time, no, nor ever shall be. But He was very adamant about when the rapture would happen. 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: 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. Matthew 24:29-31

I believe that scripture is very clear as to when the rapture will occur. It is also very clear that there would be tribulation to those who are on the earth, especially for the Christian.

The Book of Revelation describes three types of judgments. These are 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 vials. The purpose of the seal and trumpet judgments are to cause people to turn their hearts to God. The vial judgments are the wrath of God poured out on the earth, as each vial is poured out on the earth. What does scripture say about the believer and the wrath of God? For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,… 1 Thessalonians 5:9

We can see that God will not pour out His wrath on those that are His, but has a different plan for us. But this plan He has for us, involves tribulation. In the Book of Revelation chapter 7, the Apostle John is shown a great multitude of people. This crowd was so large that no one could number them. In this crowd were people from all the nations of the world. These people are before the throne of God and He dwells with them and cares for them. These people are they, who came out of great tribulation and washed their robes clean in the blood of the Lamb. These martyrs for the Lord experienced tribulation and endured it, and yet there was no rapture to snatch them out of it. Jesus said: In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33b.

Let’s see what the book of Revelation has to say about the last or seventh trumpet. ... But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7

And the seventh angel sounded: and there were great voices in heaven saying, the Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 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 that destroy the earth. Revelation 11:15,18.

As you can see, at the seventh and last trumpet of God, the mystery Paul wrote about shall be finished and God promises to reward them that fear or reverence His name. I ask you, what greater reward is there, than to be with Jesus in Heaven forever?

I pray that you will search the scriptures and seek the Lord concerning this issue. The idea of a pre-tribulation rapture is a stumbling block for many. Scripture ,as well as history, has proven that tribulation has only been a good thing for the church. It causes us, more than anything else, to lean on God constantly. This is what He wants from us, total reliance on Him and no confidence in us. Can we with the Apostle Paul say: Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9b Paul here is referring to the tribulations and physical hardships, as well as afflictions in his body.

Don’t be fooled into believing something other than the truth, no matter who says otherwise.

I leave you now with these words of comfort from the Apostle Paul: 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. 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: 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, Wherefore, comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

AMEN