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We have been asked many questions about the religious concept commonly
called the Rapture. This term actually refers to several different ideas, but the one most common today, is the belief
that Christ will remove His people from the earth before the Great Tribulation. Many of those who believe this, also
believe in a seven year tribulation. While we will make some points about the duration of the Tribulation in this page,
our focus here will be a discussion of the Rapture belief. Those who desire more information on the duration of the
Tribulation are welcome to read the page entitled the SEVENTY WEEKS which covers the seventieth week of that prophecy and
the length of the final Tribulation.
Jesus tells us in Mat 24:15-21 that the great Tribulation will begin when
the appalling abomination stands upon the Holy Place. For an understanding of what the appalling abomination is, please
read the article by that title and also read the Mark of the Beast article. Luke expands on this revealing some more
of what Christ said Luk 21:20-24. Adding that Jerusalem shall be surrounded by armies and the city shall be trodden
down of the gentiles, until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled. (See the article 2008 in Prophecy) The term;
Times of the gentiles is a direct reference to Dan 12:7. Daniel is told that the Archangel Michael shall stand up and
a great time of trouble (Tribulation) will begin and last for a time, times and half a time (3 1/2 times) Dan 12:1.
The times refered to by Jesus and Daniel are explained in Revelation 12:7-17. Here we are told that Michael shall
stand up and fight against satan. Satan shall be cast down, the people of God shall be taken away and satan shall go
forth to persecute those who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD but were not worthy to escape Luk 21:36. In Rev 12:14 we are clearly
told that God's people shall be nourished for a time, times and a half time; In Heaven? NO! They shall be nourished
in a WILDERNESS! Is Heaven a wilderness? Of course not! Notice in verse 15-16 that satan seeks to stop the
faithful, symbolized by the woman, with a flood (armies) and the earth swallows them up in an earthquake.
Now,
remember that the city shall be trodden down for a time, times and a half time. What does this mean? The
answer is given in Rev 11:1-2, where it is clearly stated that the court of the temple shall be given to the gentiles for
42 months. This is confirmed in Rev 13:5 where it is stated that the beast shall have power to make war (ie occupy
the city) for 42 months. Since Christ said that the gentiles shall occupy the city for the times of the gentiles and
the gentiles have power to make war and tread down the city for 42 months, the times of the gentiles last for 42 months!
The Great Tribulation, the Time of Trouble shall last for 42 months. This is three and one half years or one half of
seven years. The final Tribulation shall last for 3 1/2 years, not 7 years, for more information see the Seventy Weeks
Prophecy page.
At the beginning of this 42 month period, the woman, that is God's people, shall be taken into
a wilderness. The coming of Jesus Christ to gather His people shall occur at the seventh or last trumpet blast Rev
10:5-7, 1 Cor 15:51-52, 1 Thess 4:16 and Mat 24:30-31.
In Rev 6 we see that the first seal reveals a white
horse. This is the climax of all deception, the final false prophet, the appalling abomination. Which triggers
the tribulation. Then comes the red horse which represents war, which is the natural consequence of false religion
and the turning away from the law of God. Then comes the black horse which is famine, the natural consequence of war.
Then the pale horse representing death, the natural consequence of the first three. Then the fifth seal is opened revealing
the martydom and death of God's people who must be tried in the fire Rev 3:18. The sixth seal reveals heavenly signs,
heralding the start of the sounding of the seven trumpets.
The opening of these seals and the events they represent
will take a period of time. Yet, REMEMBER THAT THE TRIBULATION STARTS WITH THE ABOMINATION IN THE HOLY PLACE.
THAT IS THE FIRST SEAL! The coming of Jesus Christ to gather His people comes as the seventh trumpet BEGINS TO
SOUND! NOT BEFORE!
Rev 10:5-7.
In conclusion. There will be no rapture to heaven before the Great
tribulation. God's people, who are judged worthy, will be nourished in a wilderness on the earth. Going there
when the first seal, the detestable abomination, arrives at the Holy Place in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ will come to gather
His people at the END of the tribulation and will then pour out His wrath on the armies of the beast and false
prophet (abomination) finally cleansing the Holy Place!
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