(n2thelight;19793)
JodyTrue,He is coming soon,but the danger in believing in the pre trib rapture,is that most who believe in this doctrine will believe satan to be Christ,when he comes first,pretending to be Christ.That's why it does matter that you know when He returns,so that you won't be deceived by the false one.
Lloydnook:THE RAPTURE: Revelation Chapter 8 V.1 And when He opened the (a)7th seal, there came to be (b)silence in the heaven about half an hour.(a) The first 6 seals were opened in quick succession with brief descriptions. The descriptions fit what our Lord said to His disciples in Matt. 24, and parallel passages. In V.8 of Matt. 24 the Lord shows that the various calamities must happen as a prelude, and in V.9 that world wide Jewry would be persecuted. This of course has happened many times, but never so badly as the second world war of 1939-1945, which was an accelerating impetus (together with the 1st world war, which forced Turkey to relinquish Palestine in war reparation,) to the formation of the present state of Israel, and clearly is significant. In the 39-45 war, the "Final Solution," was proposed by Hitler to exterminate all Jews, which had he won would have been a world wide effort. As it is, he killed more than 6 million in Europe. There is however worse to come. In Chp. 6:4, "the peace is taken from the earth," which in the case of Israel had been established by agreement with the State of Israel and the Antichrist previously, (Dan. 9:27;) but in the case of other nations, will also probably be with the help of Antichrist. The world's Christendom leaders have been, and are, teaching that it is the Christian's duty to work for peace in the world so that the world will be a fitting place for Christ to return to. “This is known as the Ecumenical Movement!” This of course ignores what Scripture says will be the case, but this teaching will make Antichrist totally acceptable to the gullible, as he will agree with and endorse and enable such teaching. Since the mid A.D. 1800s knowledge has accelerated, technology increased, with the consequent huge expansion of war, travel, communication etc., (Dan. 12:4.) This expansion coincides with an event in 1858 of the publication of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species," which led to conflict between theologians and scientists, called "The great debate." In the event the scientists won that debate, and the power (albeit corrupted) of the church declined. Although there have been attempts to renew Bible teaching through various groupings, the influences of alternative activities and interests holds sway in the present day, and what Bible teaching there is, is corrupted in the main. The exhortations of the Apostle Paul "to know and work at Scripture," (paraphrased,) in the present time is not accepted. Rather, the case is that of 2 Tim. 3:1, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." These verses from 1 to 5 certainly describe very accurately the present day developing conditions on earth. The foregoing is laid out in support of the timing possibility of a special event which must yet take place. Since the Lord's death on the Calvary cross, and at the moment in time that He gave up voluntarily His spirit of life to the Father (Matt. 27:50) and the Veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom, a special condition has prevailed on earth. The ripping of the Veil, which barred the way into the Holy of Holies in the Jewish Temple, signified that access to the presence of Jehovah was no longer barred, and that Christ's death as substitute sacrifice was acceptable to the Father for men and women of right heart (good will.) This means (and the condition is still in place) that as the Apostle Paul and others describe, "faith (Trust) in Christ's sacrifice and in Him only is all that is required for Salvation (to be made whole before God,)" (paraphrased.) As well as this gift of Salvation, this grouping of people have a special destination and purpose, which will start with a special event, called the "Translation," or "Rapture," (1 Cor. 15:51.) This taking away from earth has to take place prior to the "Wrath of God on earth," (1 Thess. 1:10) (1 Thess. 5:9) to be visited on rebellious mankind, and partly simultaneous with that wrath will be the worst tribulation visited on the Jews by the "Prince of this world," that has yet ever taken place, (Matt. 24:21-22.) (
The "silence;" in heaven, augers a prelude, an anticipation, prior to special and/ or main events. The fact that half an hour is mentioned must have a meaning. The Interlinear no.2256 confirms the text. Part of the root 2255 gives the idea of "partition," with the possible idea of a time space before the next and culminating events of the Wrath of Jehovah God! An idea on the timing, when considering 2Peter 3:8 could be 1000 divided by 48(24x2) = 21 years approx. or as stated, literally half an hour. The descriptions of what are released in the following verses and chapters are indeed terrible. The release of the 7th seal is also the last one for the Lamb of God. The Lamb is also Christ Jesus, and when He has released the 7th seal, He is free to continue the plan of Jehovah God. It is determined in the plan of God that Christ will descend from the right hand of the Father, "when His enemies are made His footstool," (paraphrased,) (Matt. 22:44,) (Mk. 12:36,) (Lk. 20:43,) (Acts 2:35,) (Heb. 1:13,)(Heb. 10:13,) (Psm. 110:1.) The timing of the Rapture of Christians (1 Cor. 15:51,) (Christ's Body) has been the subject of much debate and speculation. Some say prior to the "70th week" of Daniel's prophecy, others at the same time as the saving of the "remnant," of Jews, and many other ideas abound. However, one overriding comment repeatedly seems to give the main clue, (Rom. 5:9) which speak of exclusion from "wrath," in fact wrath is reserved for those that "hold down," or suppress the Truth (Rom. 1:18.) The most convincing and probably conclusive is 1 Thess. 1:10 and 5:9, which shows not only exclusion from wrath, but also uses the word "rescued," from the wrath to come. As Christ in verse one has just been released from His seal releasing duties, and as the 7th seal (the last) is also the one that releases the wrath of God on humankind, the "silence," or pause is opportune for Him to collect His Body, (1 Thess. 4:13-17) and (1 Cor. 15:51,52,) which is one of the main views. However, at present (Feb. 2001) the writer holds to the view that it will be prior to the start of the events of Revelation one, which would place it approx. halfway through the “70th” week.” After that wondrous event, whatever its timing, there is time alone for the Body (True Church) with the Lord, which is a refining and reward time for individual Christians, who are now in a different body or state (Rom. 14:10,) (1 Cor. 3:10-15,) (2 Cor. 5:10,) but we are then with the Lord for ever (ALWAYS) (1Thess. 4:17.) The "ALWAYS," here in the Greek, has the flavour of not just time but also at His side, (or in His presence.) The Lord must then arrive on earth the second time (called the 2nd Advent,) to rescue the remnant of His people Israel, (in their flesh,) to subdue and defeat by force the nations ranged against them, to Judge the nations, and to set up and preside in the Millennial reign. As we are told by Paul that we (true Christ-ones) are "ever," with the Lord, it is the opinion of the writer that we arrive on earth with Christ (1Thess. 3:13), (Jude 14.)
