The Bible Explained, part 30/40: The Rapture

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THE BIBLE EXPLAINED

A Guide to the Holy Bible
for Parents and Teenagers

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Where did you come from?
What is your purpose?
What happens when you die?

These questions--and more--are answered in 'The
Bible Explained', which is based on the teachings
of the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is a collection
of ancient books which claim to be the word of the
one and only God. This one and only God claims to
be the sole creator, owner, and sustainer of all
things; he further claims to hold the one and only
key to eternal life. Are these claims true? Get
the facts and then decide for yourself.

This document is meant to be understood by everyone,
and is therefore written in plain, simple language,
avoiding complex religious jargon.

Understand the Bible like never before.

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Introduction
Quest for Truth
The Holy Bible
Origin and Destiny
The Big Picture: Good and Evil
The Story of Man
The Purpose of the Earth
The Standard and the Test
Work: The Key to Success and Life
Pyramid Society
Failure of Man
Male and Female
Family Relationships
Marriage and Family
Sexual Immorality
The Value of Life
Multiplication and Overpopulation
Racism
Creation and Evolution
Government
Politics
Justice
Words, Speech, and Censorship
Church Matters
Monotheism, Jews, and Christians
Temptation
The Nature of Evil
Life and Death of Satan
Reincarnation
The Rapture
The End Times
The Near Future
Preparing for the Future
Groups and Labels
Understanding Judgement
Preparing for Death
Conclusion
Appendix A: Questions and Answers
Appendix B: The Ten Commandments
Appendix C: Marriage

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The Rapture

The so-called 'Rapture' is the resurrection of the dead saints and the transformation of the living saints for the purpose of ruling the earth during the Millennium under the headship of God's Messiah. The Messiah is God in human flesh. He will come from heaven to the earth when man is at the brink of self-annihilation; he comes to prevent the destruction of life on earth and to establish his kingdom on the earth for one thousand years -- the Millennium.

Basis for the Rapture: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17] This passage of scripture is frequently quoted in reference to an event commonly referred to as 'the Rapture'. The Rapture is a scriptural fact, however, there is a great deal of confusion regarding it: What is the purpose of the rapture? Who will be raptured? Where will the raptured go? When will the rapture occur?

Order of Events: In order to make sense of the Rapture, one must first understand the order of events which are to take place in the Last Days. The Last Days refers to the final days of man's rule on the earth -- before the true Messiah comes to establish his kingdom on the earth. Within the Last Days is a period of time (of approximately seven years) commonly referred to as the Tribulation Period -- in which the earth will be ravaged by both "natural" and man-made disasters. The Tribulation Period is composed of two parts: The first part is comprised of 1260 days and is ruled by the Two Witnesses -- two Moses-like prophets who will strike the earth with "natural" disasters as Moses struck ancient Egypt (see Exodus 7-11 for details); the second part is comprised of 42 months and is ruled by Satan's messiah (the so-
called 'Antichrist'), who will masquerade as God, thereby deceiving the majority of mankind. At the end of the Tribulation Period, the true Messiah (and his army of angels) will descend to the earth, destroy the armies of man, capture and bind Satan for one thousand years, resurrect the dead saints and transform the living ones, and then establish his kingdom on the earth (in Jerusalem), which starts the Millennium -- a one-thousand-year period in which God's Messiah and his saints will rule the earth.

Subjects of the Rapture: Who will be raptured? The rapture applies to a group of humans commonly referred to as 'the Saints'. The saints are those whom God has chosen to reign with him during the Millennium. When the Messiah comes to the earth to establish his kingdom, we are told: "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." [Revelation 20:4-6] Therefore, when the Messiah comes to the earth to establish his kingdom, he will resurrect the dead saints (and transform the living ones) to reign with him during the Millennium. By what standard will the saints rule during the Millennium? "For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." [Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2] Thus, the saints will rule the earth in accordance with the Word/Law/Torah of God.

Recognizing the Saints: What are the characteristics of a saint? Since the saints will rule the earth according to the standard of God, they must possess these traits: They know and keep every word of God; they have conquered the world, the flesh, and the devil; they possess no fear, for they are filled with the spirit of God -- which casts out all fear; they do not entangle themselves with the (temporal) things of the world, but seek to win souls to life eternal. The greatest surprise of the Rapture will not be the raising of the dead or the transfiguration of the living, but that the number of the saints will be so small. Do you count yourself among the saints? Can you rule the earth in righteousness in accordance with every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God? Indeed, do you even know every word of God? And do you live by same? Do you love God more than your spouse, children, and parents? If God called you right now, would you forsake all?

Purpose of the Rapture: God does all things with purpose. What is the purpose of the Rapture? In my opinion, the Rapture is synonymous with the First Resurrection. The Rapture is the resurrection of the dead saints and the transfiguration of the living saints for the purpose of reigning on the earth during the Millennium: "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection (the Rapture). Over such the second (permanent) death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (the Millennium)." [Revelation 20:6] Thus, the purpose of the Rapture is to equip the saints (both the dead and the living) with incorruption and eternal life in order that they may reign with the Christ/Messiah during the Millennium.

Time of the Rapture: When will the Rapture occur? There are three popular opinions: the Rapture will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation Period; the Rapture will occur in the middle of the Tribulation Period; the Rapture will occur at the end of the Tribulation Period. So, when exactly will the Rapture occur? Answer: it does not matter, since the faithful servants of God are ready at all times for all things. Remember the parable of the ten wise and foolish virgins: five were prepared to meet the bridegroom, but the other five were not; God accepted those prepared, but rejected the others. Do not permit yourself to be distracted by the Rapture, but rather keep your eyes on the prize of life eternal -- while you diligently do the work of God, knowing that God does not leave his servants in the dark: "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." [Amos 3:7] If God deems it necessary, he will reveal to his servants the time of the Rapture -- just as he revealed to Abraham his judgement upon Sodom and Gomorrah (see Genesis 18:16-33). That being said, I believe the Rapture will occur at the end of the Tribulation Period -- when the Messiah breaks through the clouds to save humanity from self-annihilation.

Raptured at the Second Coming: In order to understand the time at which the Rapture will occur, we need to know the order of resurrection of the dead and transfiguration of the living (when the corruptible puts on incorruption and the mortal puts on immortality): "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (died). For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's (the saints) at His coming." [1 Corinthians 15:20-23] Thus, we see the Rapture occurs at the coming of the Christ/Messiah. Acts 1:9-12 tells us Jesus the Christ ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives and will return to the Mount of Olives, but does not say when he will return; however, when he does return, Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies (see Zechariah 14:1-
4).

Heaven or Earth: Some believe that they will be raptured to heaven before or half-way through the Tribulation Period, marry God while in heaven, and then return to the earth at the beginning of the Millennium to rule the earth with him. Is this true? No. Why? Marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of everyone else; and a man marries once -- and only once. God gave marriage to man as a foreshadow of his upcoming marriage to his faithful followers. If God marries before the Millennium, what will become of those who live during said Millennium? Will God deny them the opportunity to marry him? What about the dead who will be resurrected after the Millennium -- in the Day of Judgement -- whose names are written in the Book of Life? Will God deny them the opportunity to marry him? No. God marries all his followers at once; then they enter into eternity, where they live happily ever after. In summary, God does not marry before eternity begins; God marries all his followers at the very beginning of eternity: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.'" [Revelation 21:1-4]

Clouds and Air: Consider the Rapture passage: "And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17] Does this mean the saints will literally rise into the air to meet the Messiah as he descends from heaven to the Mount of Olives? If so, why? To destroy the armies of man? Revelation 19:11-21 tells us the armies of man are destroyed by the Messiah and the armies in heaven (holy angels) -- not by the saints, since they are not raised until Satan is captured and bound (see Revelation 20:1-6). In my opinion, the saints never leave the earth. So, what is meant by 'caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air'? The word 'clouds' could mean 'groups' or 'multitudes' -- as in 'clouds of locusts blotted out the sun'; the word 'air' can also mean 'spirit'. For example, the expression 'Ebenezer Scrooge was caught up in the spirit of Christmas' does not mean he was taken up somewhere; it simply means he had a sudden change of heart/spirit. Thus, 'caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air' can mean 'come together in groups to meet the Lord in spirit'.

Ruling the Earth: Scripture tells us the Messiah will descend from heaven to the Mount of Olives and establish his kingdom in Jerusalem. If this is the case, will all the saints be gathered in Jerusalem as suggested in the aforementioned verse 'And thus we shall always be with the Lord'? The Lord will be perpetually with the saints in spirit, however, the saints will be scattered throughout the earth as indicated in the parable of the minas: "And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'" [Luke 19:17] If the saints are to rule cities and regions of the earth, it makes sense that they should dwell in those areas -- rather than be stationed perpetually in the presence of the Messiah in Jerusalem. That said, the saints will always be with the Lord in spirit -- just like all the air in the earth's atmosphere is together as one.

Through the Tribulation: The saints go through the Tribulation Period, since they are still on the earth -- being persecuted by Satan -- when the Messiah comes: "I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgement was made in favour of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom." [Daniel 7:21-22] "He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." [Daniel 7:25-27] "And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation." [Revelation 13:5-7] When Satan is cast out of heaven to the earth for his appointed 42-
month reign, he persecutes the saints, which means the saints are still on the earth -- they have not been raptured to heaven. The saints never leave the earth: when the Messiah comes to the earth, he first binds Satan; then he raises the dead saints and transforms the living saints to rule the earth with him for one thousand years -- the Millennium.

Further Reading: Scripture dealing with the coming of the Messiah (and his angels), the destruction of the armies of man, the capture and imprisonment of Satan for 1000 years, the first resurrection (the Rapture), the Millennium, the final battle between good and evil, the death of Satan, the resurrection of the dead for the Day of Judgement, the second (permanent) death (lake of fire), the destruction of death, the restoration of heaven and earth, the marriage of God to his followers, and eternity can be found in Revelation 19:11 through 21:8.

Rapture Confusion: Because the alleged scriptures dealing with the Rapture are not explicitly placed in chronological order with other prophetic events, confusion has arisen in regard to the specific time of said Rapture in relation to other happenings. However, this confusion is unnecessary, since the book of Revelation details End Time events in chronological order via the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials of judgement. Therefore, it is wise to read the book of Revelation to determine where the Rapture best fits in the overall scheme of things. I will now attempt to clarify some teachings which I believe to be erroneous.

The Secret Rapture: How does the Christ/Messiah come -- secretly or openly? "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God." [1 Thessalonians 4:16] Note that trumpets were used to make public -- not secret -- announcements and proclamations. "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." [Matthew 24:27] Note that lightning is a public -- not private -- spectacle. "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect (the saints) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." [Matthew 24:30-31] Note that 'all the tribes of the earth' witness the coming of the Messiah, and then he gathers together his elect (the saints). "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen." [Revelation 1:7] Note that 'every eye' will witness the coming of the Messiah, so how can the Rapture be a secret event?

Day of the Messiah: According to Acts 26:13, the Messiah appeared to Saul as 'a light from heaven, brighter than the sun'. Before the Messiah lands on the Mount of Olives, every eye will see him coming from heaven as he approaches the earth: "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him." [Revelation 1:7] How will every eye see him? Every eye will see him the same way every eye sees the sun every day: "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." [Matthew 24:27] The Messiah appears as 'the sun shining in its strength': "He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength." [Revelation 1:16] Imagine an overview of the solar system, particularly the sun and earth; now imagine another sun approaching the earth from outside the solar system, casting its light on the "night" side of the earth, thereby producing a unique day: "It shall come to pass in that day that there will be no light; the lights will diminish. It shall be one day which is known to the LORD -- neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen that it will be light." [Zechariah 14:7] Notice that this special day is known only to God: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." [Matthew 26:36] I believe the Messiah will appear as the sun on the "night" side of the earth for one full day (24 hours) before landing on the Mount of Olives, so that 'every eye will see him'.

The Thief in the Night: The various 'thief in the night' passages of the New Testament are often cited as evidence of a so-called Secret Rapture -- the belief that the Christ/Messiah will come secretly to snatch away his church (faithful followers) to heaven as supposedly described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. However, the various 'thief in the night' passages indicate that the Messiah will come at an unexpected time, thereby taking his hypocritical servants by surprise; however, his faithful servants are commanded to watch and be ready at all times for his coming. The pretentious servants of God are not interested in his coming, since that event would bring an end to their power over the ignorant masses. Note that it is impossible for God's true servants to be taken by surprise: "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." [Amos 3:7] The message of the 'thief in the night' passages is simple: If you are a true servant of God, be ready at all times for his coming; if you are a pretentious servant of God, his coming will surprise you -- in more ways than one: "...the master of that (hypocritical) servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." [Matthew 24:50-51]

Public Surprise: If the coming of the Messiah is a public event, how can it take God's hypocritical servants by surprise? Since the false messiah comes first, the hypocritical servants will accept him as the true messiah -- and will therefore not expect another. When the true messiah does come, it will take them by surprise. On the other hand, God's true servants will look to the Mount of Olives for evidence of the true messiah: If the mount is not split as described in Zechariah 14:4, they will know that the true messiah is not on the earth.

The Two Trumpets: The last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 is often confused with the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15, however, these two events are not the same. The seventh trumpet announces the end of evil in heaven and the beginning of Satan's reign on the earth; the last trumpet announces the final act of God before the Millennium begins -- the resurrection of the dead saints and the transfiguration of the living ones for the purpose of ruling the earth during said Millennium.

The Seventh Trumpet: The seventh trumpet marks the end of evil in heaven and the beginning of Satan's reign on the earth: "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'" [Revelation 11:15] Note that this announcement refers to heaven, not the earth, since: "So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." [Revelation 12:9] "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." [Revelation 12:12] When cast out of heaven to the earth, Satan will rule the earth for forty-two months: "And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months." [Revelation 13:5] Thus begins the reign of Satan on the earth. If Satan is ruling the earth, the announcement made in Revelation 11:15 cannot possibly apply to the earth -- and it doesn't; it applies to heaven, since Satan is cast out of heaven at the time the announcement is made. During Satan's 42-month reign on the earth, God will judge his kingdom via the seven vials of Revelation 16.

The Last Trumpet: The last trumpet announces the Rapture -- the resurrection of the dead saints and the transformation of the living ones for the purpose of ruling the earth during the Millennium: "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling (blinking) of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?'" [1 Corinthians 15:50-55] Notice that the Rapture carries a side effect: the conquest of death. Where else in scripture is death conquered? In the first resurrection: "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." [Revelation 20:6] Could it be that the Rapture and the first resurrection are the same event? I believe so. The diligent reader will be aware that there are three conquests of death: first, Jesus the Christ; second, the saints; and third, those who pass through the Day of Judgement.

Saints Remain on Earth: Note that the saints are still on the earth during the reign of Satan, who will attempt to wear them out through severe persecution: "And it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them." [Revelation 13:7] Please take a moment to read Revelation 19:11 through 20:6 for a list of events which will occur from the time the Messiah comes to the earth to the time the Millennium begins. If you read the passage carefully, you will notice that the saints never leave the earth, nor are they raptured into the air to join the Messiah to fight the armies of man. In fact, the saints are not "raptured" until after Satan is imprisoned and certain judgements are made.

Raptured After Tribulation: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect (the saints) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." [Matthew 24:29-31] Notice that the saints are gathered (raptured) after the tribulation period.

Marriage on Earth: If you believe the saints will be raptured off the earth, where will they go? To heaven? Which heaven? What will they do there? The Bible mentions three heavens: the first is where the birds fly (the earth's atmosphere); the second is where the stars are (space); the third is beyond the stars -- where God has his throne. The saints are trained on the earth in order that they may rule the earth; if they were to rule elsewhere, they would be trained there. If the saints are raptured into the earth's atmosphere, what will they do among the birds and clouds? If they are raptured into space, what will they do in that great void? If they are raptured to God's throne in heaven, what will they do there? Marry God? If you believe the saints will be raptured to heaven to marry God, you should know that the marriage of God takes place on the earth -- after the Millennium, after the Day of Judgement, after the death of death, after the restoration of heaven and earth -- at the very beginning of eternity (see Revelation 21:1-4). Humans do not go to heaven to marry God; God comes to the earth to marry his followers: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people." [Revelation 21:3]

Together Again: When God's creation was perfect, he dwelt on the earth -- walking and talking with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; however, Adam chose to rebel against God, and thereby plunged all of creation into a state of decay (imperfection). Since a perfect God cannot tolerate imperfection, he left his creation. Where did he go? He went out of his creation, however, his spirit never left the earth, since it is omnipresent and immortal; also, he later sent his Word into the world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth -- to pay the price for Adam's sin. That said, God will return to the earth to marry his followers and live with them forever on the earth -- just as it was in the Garden of Eden. When? When the creation is eventually restored to its initial state of perfection: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.'" [Revelation 21:1-4]

Married to Whom: Who will God marry? God will marry all his faithful followers -- everyone who keeps his commandments. Imagine you're a king with many servants -- to whom you issue commands; some keep your orders, but others do not. Which ones will you keep in your employ? Which ones will you fire? God will keep and promote his faithful servants: "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'" [Matthew 25:21] However, God will destroy the others in hell: "'And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" [Matthew 25:21]

Escapism: Those who hope to be evacuated from the earth via the Rapture usually fear the Tribulation Period (a time of intense testing designed to separate the good from the evil in preparation for the harvest of Matthew 13:36-43). However, this anxiety is not necessary, since God is able to preserve you through all things; and God will never burden you with more than you can bear. Remember that God is a shield to the righteous (the righteous are those who keep the commandments of God). The Tribulation Period will be reminiscent of the plagues of ancient Egypt as recorded in the book of Exodus; but note that God made a distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians -- even so will God make a distinction between the good and the evil during the Tribulation Period. Furthermore, remember that God preserved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego through the fiery furnace; and he also preserved Daniel in the lions' den. (See the book of Daniel for details.) If you fear the Tribulation Period, you can be certain that God is not your Lord: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." [2 Timothy 1:7] If you fear becoming a martyr for God, you can be certain that God has not chosen you for this role; if you fear the refinement due a saint, you can be certain that you are not among them: for the spirit of fear is not from God.

Fearing Tribulation: God commands his followers to 'fear not!' If you fear man, you don't know God; if you fear the devil, you don't know God; if you fear death, you don't know God: for God is love, and love casts out fear: "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." [1 John 4:17-18]

Danger of Escapism: If you teach the Rapture as a means of escaping tribulation, consider this: What if you're wrong -- and your followers are suddenly faced with unexpected persecution? Will they not become discouraged, turn their backs on God, and lose their eternal souls?

Rapture Falsities: It has become a popular notion that the Rapture will suddenly evacuate pilots from airplanes, drivers from cars, children from parents, parents from children, unborn children from their mothers' wombs, etc., thereby causing great destruction, loss of life, and broken families: This is false. The Rapture is the work of the LORD God; the LORD is the God of creation, not destruction (Satan is the god of destruction). It is not in the character of God to destroy the innocent or to tear apart families. Remember that the purpose of the Rapture is to equip the saints with incorruption and immortality so that they may reign on the earth during the Millennium. The saints will not suddenly disappear from the earth; they will simply be changed into immortal beings, since they must reign and rule on the earth for one thousand years. The saints are trained on the earth so that they may rule on the earth, not in heaven. The saints are few in number, chosen of God, and separate from the world. If you have become a busybody, eagerly awaiting the Rapture, stop it; get on with your life; marry and raise children in the fear and admonition of the LORD, that they may inherit the earth: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." [Matthew 5:5] This inheritance of the earth refers to the Millennium; and the meek are those who keep the commandments of God.

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prior written permission of the publisher, except by a
reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be
printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are
taken from the New King James Version (R). Copyright (C)
1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.

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