CHANGE OF TERMINOLOGY NEEDED FOR END-TIME STUDIES

I’ve been following Anna Marie at Anna.Xanga.com.  She challenges me to rethink our traditional interpretations on Revelations and End-Time teachings.   Recently she has made several statements that has caused me to re-think our terminology.  For example, she said that Revelation is not chronological.  I’ve believed this for many years; I don’t see how anyone can understand Revelation apart from seeing that it is not chronological.  My own charts in the “Reveal” section of  http://themercyplace.com indicate this.   AnnaMarie then goes on to discuss how someone long ago got Chapter 8 verse 1 out of its rightful place in scripture divisions.  This, too, I’ve maintained for many years.  The Trumpet Vision begins in Revelation 8:2.   Revelations 8:1 belongs with the seventh seal and is in fact the conclusion of the vision of the breaking of the seals.

Now comes the part that has caused me to rethink our terminology.  Anna says that she grew up Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Millennialist but since we weren’t raptured prior to the beginning of Tribulation then she has abandoned this Pre-Trib position in favor of a Pre-Wrath position.  Here’s where we need to change our terminology.  I, too, grew up Pre-Trib and until reading this in Anna’s blog never gave it a second thought.   I also agree that Tribulation has already begun and that Christians/believers will endure tribulation.   Fact is “tribulation” began in the first century and has continued for 2000 years.  John, the Apostle, who penned Revelation says in Revelation 1:9, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation…”  In fact, when John wrote this in about AD96, the church was undergoing it’s third great persecution.  So Tribulation began before AD70 and has continued for 2000 years, so to speak correcctly, we cannot hold to a Pre-Trib rapture.  We need to change our terminology to reflect a more accurate belief.  Perhaps, ‘Pre-Great Tribulation Rapture’ would be more precise.  Another possibility is ‘Pre-Jacob’s Trouble Rapture’.   Anna suggested that she is “Pre-Wrath”.  A lot of people are jumping on the Pre-Wrath wagon.  I think I will too; but even here new definitions are needed.   I have always said and still maintain that NOTHING needs to happen prophetically prior to Jesus coming for His Bride.  In the traditional Pre-Wrath approach, He could not come for His Bride until half-way through Great Tribulation or later; this doesn’t line up with scripture.  In fact, from the time of Christ’s ascension into Heaven, IT HAS BEEN GOD’S WILL THAT BELIEVERS WATCH AND PRAY BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW WHEN THE LORD WILL RETURN FOR HIS BRIDE!  Hear me!  It is God’s will that I watch and pray (Luke 21:36) and expect His return, whether or not his return occurs in my lifetime.   Anna has beautifully said that many have longed be alive in this day that we are blessed to live in.    My objection to the Pre-Wrath view is that it negates the “Expectation of the Imminent Return of Chrsit for His Bride.”  However, allowing that Tribulation has been going on for 2000 years and that more Christians were martyred for the cause of Christ in the 20th century than all 19 preceding centuries combined, one can hardly argue that Christians will escape tribulation.  So, that’s a mute point.  Christians have and will endure tribulation until Christ removes us.

Consider the outline given in Matthew 24 by Jesus to His followers and sync that with the Vision of the Seven Seals in Revelation 6 and 7 and we see that The Seals have to do with the followers of Christ and what they experience during the whole of the Last Days from Christ’s Crucifixion/Resurrection until the end of the Age.  True enough, we will be taken out at the end of this Age, which began, by the way, on the Day of Pentecost.   In Acts 2:16 ff, Peter tells us, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:  ‘and it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh…”  Peter identified the Day of Pentecost following the ascension of Jesus into Heaven as the beginning of the Last Days.  Since that day, it has been God’s will that we expect His return and make ourselves ready.  So forget Pre-Trib rapture.  We’ve demonstrated scripturally that the Last Days have been going on for 2000 years.  We’ve demonstrated scripturally that we were already in tribulation before the end of the first century.

So, Big question…  If I embrace the Pre-Wrath position, can I scripturally maintain the “Expectation of the Imminent Return of Christ”?   Yes, if I accept the obvious…   When is Pre-Wrath Rapture?  Before the Wrath of God is poured out on the Earth.  When will the wrath be poured out?  Duh?  The  Bowls of What???  The Bowls of Wrath.  Ohhhh!

It fits into place and still maintains the Immient expectation if we see that as Anna pointed out. (and scripture agrees with by the way)  that the seals have to do with the followers of the Lamb, and the Trumpets have to do with the judgements cast down on the Earth.  Let me suggest that as the seals have been progressing for 2000 years so have the Trumpets.  (Remember: forget trying to make this chronological; they in fact run concurrently)    Whereas the seals have shown what the followers of Christ have endured, so the Trumpets have shown partial judgements upon the Earth.   One-third, One-third, One-third.   As the Seals and Trumpets have run concurrently, so “Birth pains” have grown in intensity and frequency over these centuries.  All the while allowing us to make ready for the Bride Groom, who could come for us at any time.

This leaves God’s Full Judgement to be unvieled in the “pouring out of the bowls of wrath upon the Earth,”  and we, who are ready will get to escape that wrath that is to come upon the Earth.  Luke 21:36.

In this sense, Pre-Wrath?  definitely!  …and yet not robbed of my expectation that He could come today.

AuThor

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Watch and Pray – Luke 21:36

Luke 21:36 says, ³⁶ “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” NKJV

This is an exciting verse that comes at the close of Luke’s record of our Lord’s teachings on the End Times.

I believe this verse speaks of the Rapture and the opportunity we have to escape the Great Tribulation to come.

1. We are admonished to”Watch and Pray” thus we may conclude that we are to be alert and make preparation for His coming.

             TRUTH:  It is God’s will that I be prepared; that I make ready; that I watch and pray for His coming, whether or not His coming occurs in my lifetime.

2.  This verse teaches that some will escape the wrath that will befall the Earth!  Who will escape?  Answer:  Those who are “worthy” to escape according to this verse.  I believe that to be The Bride of Christ.  Not all believers are the           Bride.  The Bride is the one who is “not foolish”, who is single mindedly devoted to Christ and is making herself ready…(see Matt.25:1-13)   (From ancient Jewish wedding practices, we conclude that The Rapture is The Groom coming to take His Bride to the Father’s house for the wedding ceremony and wedding feast.)

3.  ”and to stand before the Son of Man…” The Bride will stand before the Groom in marriage…

There are 3 meanings in scripture for the phrase, “stand before”.  Actually there are two relevant possibilities because the third meaning is a negative, “cannot stand before” which indicates being unsuccessful in battle, definitely not indicated here.  Another meaning of “stand before” means  to be able to withstand judgment.  Thus some take this to mean to stand before the Lord in Judgment, ie The Judgment Seat of Christ.  According the other scriptures, Matt. 25:1-13 being primary, His coming for His Bride is a separate event and a picture of a Jewish wedding.  The Bridegroom comes for His Bride (who is making herself ready) at an hour that only the Father knows, and then He takes her to that special room he has prepared at the Father’s House for the wedding ceremony and feast.

(Judgment is Not a part of the marriage ceremony.  According to Matt. 25:14-30, The Judgment Seat of Christ will take place following Jesus’ Second Coming to Earth and will involve His settling of accounts with His servants and the setting up of His Messianic Kingdom wherein He will rule and reign for 1000 years upon the Earth.)  Rewards, the ability to “rule and reign with Him,” will be given at this time.

‘To stand before’ involves the intimacy of a Bride presenting herself to the Groom.  Thus, I believe this is a picture of the Bride escaping Great Tribulation as she accompanies her Groom to the Fathers’ house for a wedding feast.  She presents herself to Christ in white raiment, spotless and without blemish.  (stands before her King uncompromised with the world; chaste and pure).

AuThor

Synopsis of Matthew 25, in view of end-time teachings.

It is historically accepted that Matthew 24 and 25 are the words of Christ in answer to questions by His disciples regarding the destruction of the Temple and the Last Days. Although, End-Time teachings have been neglected by most churches, Matthew 25 has been even more neglected. What follows is a synopsis of Matthew 25 and the three parables contained therein. The three parts of Matt.25 are as follows:

1. The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matt. 25:1-13;

2. The Parable of the Talents, Matt. 25:14-30;

3. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Matt. 25:31-46.

We will accept as we analyze these parables that all three are spoken by Jesus, and relate to end-time events.

We have several times dealt with The Parable of the Ten Virgins. To summarize: In the parable of the Ten Virgins, the ten virgins are the Church. All ten are saved! Five were wise; five were foolish. Foolish means double-minded. They were not singularly focused on Christ, the Bridegroom. They were not making ready for His return. They were left behind in the rapture! Bottom line – The Parable of the Ten Virgins is a parable about the return of the Bridegroom for His Bride, hence, THE RAPTURE!

2. The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30. I’m indebted here to Dr. Chuck Missler. (The Kingdom,Power, and Glory; Chuck & Nancy Missler) These are hard sayings but again, bottom line this is a parable about THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST! This follows His return to Earth in His Second Coming but precedes the millennial Reign of Christ upon the Earth. In this parable, again, ALL ARE SAVED! These are servants of the King of Kings! He gives gifts (responsibilities) as He chooses and when He returns there is an accounting. Upon the reckoning or accounting, the ‘faithful’ servants are given more responsibility and invited to “rule and reign” with Christ in His millennial kingdom. The slothful, unprofitable, unfaithful servant is ‘cast into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ We have always assumed, that this is the abode of the lost, but Dr. Chuck Missler introduced the concept that these are not lost; but asked these questions,

“Could this be where the Lord in His Love, but out of His justice casts the unfaithful servants who were not prepared for the kingdom? Could this be an expression of His ‘tough Love’ in providing an area for remedial training? Could this be the separate place into which the fruitless and defiled believers are put, while the rest of the body of Christ enjoys fellowship with the Lord in some other area of the temple? Could this be what is called the ‘darkness outside’?

These are saved, but will not rule and reign with Christ during the thousand years. As Christ’s purpose for His children is always redemptive, so this too, will be remedial. When I first read this in Dr. Missler’s book, I put his book aside. I had never heard this concept before and could not accept that ‘cast into outer darkness’ was for believers and was in fact redemptive. However, a careful analysis of these parables show this to be the case.

3. The Judgment of the Nations (Gentiles) Matt. 25:31-46. Commonly called the Judgement of the Sheep and the Goats, This is the Great White Throne of Judgment that follows the Millennial Reign of Christ upon the Earth. Those who are righteous will take their inheritance which is eternal life; the cursed will be told to “Depart from me,… then they will go away to eternal punishment.” They are Lost! Eternally Lost!

So, in Matthew 25, we see as it were three judgments.

1. The Rapture (Christ coming to receive His Bride) occurring prior to The Seven Years of Great Tribulation!

2. The Judgment Seat of Christ, (Christ judging the Believers of all time based on their faithfulness) occurring immediately after His Second Coming but prior to His Millennial Reign!

3. Great White Throne of Judgment (God’s judgment as to one’s eternal destiny: SAVED / LOST) occurring after the millennial Reign.

Let me hasten to say that one’s eternal destiny is sealed in this life. It is given by the Grace of God as we receive or reject God’s provision of HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS – IN CHRIST JESUS, OUR LORD, OUR REDEEMER.

AuThor

Language Differences Between Rapture and Second Coming

Language depicting the sudden appearing of Christ, at a time when ‘no one knows the day or hour’ refers to Christ’s return for His Bride.  It is sudden and the Bride must be alert and ready.

Language referring to the Lord coming in Judgment, setting foot upon the Mount of Olives, refers to His return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  This is commonly called ‘The Second Coming.  The Second Coming will be known.  It will occur 1290 days after the Abomination of Desolation when the Anti-Christ defiles the temple and sets himself up to be worshipped as God.   In fact, The Battle of Armageddon’ is where the Anti-Christ specifically seeks to STOP Jesus’ return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  This happens because the exact day of Christ’s return to Earth will be known from prophecy.

Simply stated:  No one knows the day or hour of the coming of the Bridegroom for His Bride; but all the world will know and see Jesus coming in Glory at His Second Coming!  The countdown doesn’t commence until Great Tribulation starts, and that will commence with the Anti-Christ being revealed by setting in place a seven year peace treaty with Israel.  This revelation of the Lawless One will not occur until He who restrains is removed.  2 Thess. 2:7.  This is accepted to be the Holy Spirit!  Jesus promises all believers, (Matt. 28:20)  “I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age.”  When Jesus comes for the Bride, that is the end of the Age!  The end of the Age of Grace; the end of the church age.   The Holy Spirit leaves with the Bride and Groom and the Lawless One is revealed.

What If You’re Not Ready?

Q: What Happens to Believers Who are Not Ready?

A: It is common knowlege that Matthew 24 and 25 are the techings of Christ on End-Time events in response to questions by His disciples. Often overlooked in End-Time teachings is Matthew 25:1-13. The parable of the Ten Virgins.

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us.’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

These are the words of Christ. He tells us that this parable relates to His coming. Some have suggested that this is the division of the saved and lost and those left out were lost. Not so! All were saved! Five were wise; five were foolish. The Ten Virgins represent ALL believers, hence the church.

In Matthew 7:23 where Jesus says to those who ministered in His Name, “I never knew you.” The word used, (gunos’ko) means, “I have no knowlege of you.” They were lost!

In Matthew 25:12 where Jesus says to those outside the wedding feast, “I do not know you.” The word used for ‘know’ (oida) refers to intimacy. He is saying…”you and I are not intimate, You’re not my bride…”

Isn’t this exciting! The Bride of Christ is purifying herself. The Bride of Christ is eagerly awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom. Those in the church who are not being purified, who are not getting ready for the Bridegroom, who are not watching and waiting, not ready for His coming to take them to the wedding feast are saved, but they are not the Bride. THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING FOR HIS BRIDE! …and she is pure, clothed in white!

Yes, I am saying that Matthew 25:1-13 teaches a partial rapture of the church. He is coming for those who love His appearing! This corresponds with the admonition to ‘keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Many who are saved, but are double minded (foolish), not intimate with the Bridegroom will be left behind to endure Great Tribulation.

What is Great Tribulation?

Q: What is Great Tribulation?

A: Great Tribulation is the correct Biblical term for the last seven (7) years before Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Great Tribulation is the last week of Jewish prophecy. Daniel divides Jewish history into ’70 weeks of years’. (Daniel 9:20-27) When Christ was crucified sixty nine weeks were completed, leaving one more week of years or seven years till the end. There, enters a parenthesis in time. God’s plan for his people Israel is put on hold as the Jews are dispersed into all nations having no homeland of their own from AD70 until the Balfour Declaration in 1917 allowed them to begin returning to their homeland. They became the nation of Israel in May 1948. By the way, this was the first time the nation of Israel had existed since before they went into exile in 587-86 BC. During the time of Christ, this country was Judea. Another note of interest overlooked today, at the same time the Jews were given Palestine for their homeland, Jordan was established for the Arab/Palestinian people to have their own homeland. This seems to be forgotten or overlooked in our current political climate.

During this parenthesis, salvation is extended to ‘the nations’ or the gentiles. Other names for this period of time are: The times of the Gentiles, The Age of Grace, and The Church Age. Prophecy indicates as we’ve discussed previously that the age of the Gentiles has officially ended. According to Luke 21:24, “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” So, Biblically, the age of the Gentiles ended in 1967 with the six day war.

The Age of Grace ends with the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit from the Earth. The Age of Grace began with Christ and His death, burial and resurrection, and the subsequent pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. (Birthday of the Church, beginning of the Church Age). 2 Thessalonians 2:7,8 says, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; ony He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming…”

The ‘lawless one’ is commonly accepted as referring to the Anti-Christ. The ‘one who restrains’, “He” (capitalized) is the Holy Spirit. Accepting these identities, we see that the exit of “He who now restrains” is an event preceeding the revelation of the Anti-Christ. The chronological order is thus:

• The Holy Spirit leaves, thus ending the Age of Grace, The Church Age, and the Parenthesis;
• The Anti-Christ is revealed, and sets into place a seven year peace treaty with Israel; thus beginning the 70th or last week of Jewish prophetic history.
• Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and destroys the Anti-Christ in the ensuing battle at Armageddon. This is the Anti-Christ who the Lord “will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”

A minimum of seven years lapses between the exit of ‘He who restrains’ and Christ’s Second Coming. As indicated above, this seven years relates to Jewish prophetic history. It is during this time that the Jewish people turn ‘en masse’ to Messiah. This is a time of Judgment upon the Earth. It is in this seven year period that “The bowls of wrath” are poured out upon the Earth representing God’s Judgement ‘poured’ out against ungodliness

We will next discuss:

1. The pre-great tribulation rapture of the Bride of Christ, and

2. Not all believers/Christians are a part of the Bride of Christ, thus there will be a partial rapture of the church.

Will Christians Endure Tribulation?

Q: Doesn’t Revelation teach that Christians will endure persectuion and tribulation? Aren’t Christians deluding themselves to expect deliverance from Great Tribulation via a rapture?

A: This is a misunderstanding of God’s timetable. The Church has been in tribulation and has been persecuted for centuries. Revelation was written by the Apostle John in about AD96. At the time of his writing, Christians were already enduring their 3rd great persecution. John says, in Revelation 1:9; “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation…” (KJV) Persecution and Tribulation for Christians had already began prior to the end of the first century, and has continued. More Christians were martyred for the cause of Christ in the 20th Century than all 19 previous centuries combined (see Fox’s Book of Martyrs). To teach that persecutions has not occurred or is yet to occur is just plain wrong. We have been so blessed in the USA that it’s just now becoming fashionable in America to persecute Jews and Christians.

Great Tribulation, that future event lasting 7 years in the Book of Revelation, has nothing to do with the Bride of Christ. The Bride will escape this period! This is the 70th week of Jewish history spoken of by the prophet Daniel. (Daniel 9:20-27)

Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass,

In my opinion, this speaks of the rapture and the possibility of escaping Great Tribulation.

Some will escape; who?
Will you?

• We’ve demonstrated scripturally that we are in the last days.
• We’ve demonstrated scripturally that we are living on borrowed time in that the ‘age of the gentiles’ has ended.
• We’ve demonstrated scripturally that Christians were in tribulation prior to the end of the first century.

THE END of The Last Days is Near

Q: Why do you think we are living at THE END of The Last Days?

A: Luke 21 is the parallel passage to Matthew 24. This was recorded as Jesus’ own words to four disciples who asked when the end of the age would come. In Luke 21:20 ff, we read; “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that it’s desolation is near. (NOTE: Jerusalem, not the temple) Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

This passage refers to Jerusalem and the Jews living in Jerusalem. It also refers to a past event. The siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman General Titus in AD70 to be exact. Many believe it refers to the end of the age but this passage referst to the beginning of the Age of the Gentiles. No one teaches that the dispersion of the Jews is yet to come and that is what is revealed in this passage. “They…will be taken as prisoners to all the nations.” So, the beginning of the Age of the Gentiles is AD70. When will it end? Next verse: “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Has that happened? Yes! When did it happen? Jerusalem reverted to Jewish control in the ‘six day war’ in 1967, and made Capital of Israel in 1978. The times of the gentiles ended in this generation, opening the way for the endtime events described next.

It is an odd scenario where Matthew 24 and Mark 13 refer to the Temple and the ‘abomination of desolation’ that is yet to occur. (The Abomination of Desolation refers specifically to the Holy of Holies and the desecration of that place by the Anti-Christ halfway through the 70th week of Israel’s history or what we call The Great Tribulation.) However, Luke does not address the Temple or the desolation of it but instead addresses the destruction of the city and the Temple, which occurred in AD70. The city will not be destroyed again nor the Temple but it will be desolated by the Anti-Christ.

The Age of the Gentiles is that time that corresponds with The Last Days in the preceding question. The time when a ‘parenthesis’ occurs in Jewish history between Daniel’s 69th and 70th week. That ‘parenthesis’ is ‘The Age of Grace’ when salvation is extended to the gentiles, when the Holy Spirit is poured out into the hearts of all true believers. And that Age of the Gentiles has ended in our lifetime. We are living on borrowed time! What’s next?

Are We Living in the Last Days?

Q: Can You show me in the Bible that we are Living in the Last Days?

A: In Acts 2:16, Peter addresses the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, saying, “…this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,… And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Peter said on the Day of Pentecost, they were witnessing the fulfillment of the prophesy of Joel (Joel 2:28-32) that The Holy Spirit would come upon all believers in the Last Days; so scripturally, The Last Days began on the Day of Pentecost; this is also the birthday of the church. Other synonyms with varying time lines are: The Church Age, The Age of Grace, The Parenthesis, and The Time of the Gentiles.

The whole period of time from the Day of Pentecost until ‘The Day of the Lord’, or Jesus’ Second Coming IS The Last Days. We are living in the Last Days and have been for nearly 2000 years. This scriptural Truth is vital to a correct interpretation of Revelation and End-Time events.

(next question – Why do you think we are at THE END of the Last Days?)

WILL YOU BE LEFT BEHIND IN THE RAPTURE?

WILL
YOU BE LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE TRUMPET SOUNDS?

The Partial Rapture of The Church!

Whoa! What do you mean?

Most Christians don’t believe that Christ is coming back in
their lifetime, so they’re not ready for his return; ‘Not even thinking in that
direction.

I believe in the literal second coming of Christ and I
believe this will happen in my lifetime! (Some Christian theologians believe in
the Second Coming of Christ but do not believe in the Rapture of the Church as a
separate event preceding his coming.) Of course, I believe scripture teaches
the rapture and I am suggesting that Christ will return in my lifetime and that
a literal rapture will precede the return of Christ.

Just as Armageddon is not a single event but a campaign
consisting of three major battles over a three and one-half year period – so
the Second Coming of Christ is not a single event but two events separated by
seven years.

The two events are:

1) THE RAPTURE – This is the Bridegroom (Christ
Jesus – God’s Son) coming to get his bride to carry her to his Father’s house
for a wedding feast.

2) THE RETURN OF CHRIST TO EARTH – This will be the
prophesied event of Christ setting foot upon Mount Olivet in Jerusalem to begin
his literal reign upon Earth.

If I am correct to teach that this Second Coming will occur
in my lifetime, this places an urgency on the the believer. After all I’m 63
years of age.

Why do I say Partial Rapture? What is that?

Does scripture teach that only those who are ready and
awaiting his return will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air; and those not
ready will be ‘left behind? If so, a lot of Christians will be left behind – to
endure the seven years of the Great Tribulation upon the Earth.

Matthew 24 and 25 deal specifically with the ‘end of the
age’. It is here that we find the parable of the Ten Virgins. Matthew 25:

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who
took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 “Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 “Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with
them,
4 “but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 “But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and
slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is
coming; go out to meet him!’
7 “Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

8 “And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be
enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’

10 “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those
who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord,
open to us!’
12 “But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not
know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in
which the Son of Man is coming.

Let’s look at scripture.

All ten were invited. All were supposed to be in the
wedding party. So let me suggest – All ten were saved!

I am told that by Jewish tradition. The groom keeps the
exact time of the wedding a secret. It’s like a game, and at an hour of his
choosing he sends the best man ahead of him proclaiming and announcing his
arrival. When the best man shouts, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh” then the
wedding party quickly makes ready and the parade to the Father of the Groom’s
home proceeds. The Wedding feast last seven days!

We see here a direct correlation with Jesus, God’s Son,
coming to get his bride, the church and carry her to the Father’s house for a
seven day feast. This is the Rapture!

But if this is indeed a picture of the rapture, then this
same scripture suggests that NOT ALL INVITED GUESTS WILL ACTUALLY GO BECAUSE
OF A LACK OF READINESS! In fact fully half in this parable don’t make the
cut; not because they are not a part of the wedding party but because they were
foolish and were not prepared when the call came. Verse 13 challenges
believers, “Watch therefore, for YOU know neither the day nor the hour in which
the Son of Man is coming.” …and this passage and verse specifically refer to
the coming of the Son of Man for His Bride.

This speaks NOT of the return of Christ to Earth, for
scripture tells a sequence of events that will take place and following those
events, the exact day of Christ’s return to Earth WILL BE KNOWN.

For the final battle of the Armageddon campaign will be led
by the Anti-Christ and will be for the express purpose of stopping Jesus’ return
to Earth to reign as KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.

So if scripture teaches that No one knows the day and hour
of His coming; and yet we will know the exact day of His return to Earth, is
there an inconsistency? Not at all!

No one knows the day or hour of the Rapture of the Church.
If the Rapture is for the purpose of extracting the Bride to the Father’s House
for a seven day wedding party, then there must be seven days that the Groom is
tied up for this wedding feast at the Father’s house; hence, the belief that
the righteous will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and immediately turn
around to be with Him as he sets foot upon the Earth is not a feasible
argument. For seven days or one week of years will pass before he
returns.

Fact is, that Jewish history is divided into 70 weeks of
years. This is what scripture calls it – ‘Weeks of Years.’ Scripture also
teaches us that 69 of these weeks of years have passed and one is yet to come.
Jewish history entered a parenthesis some 2000 years ago.

The seventieth week of years (called one week in prophecy
and yet lasting seven years upon Earth will be going on simultaneously with the
week long wedding party in Heaven.

So you see, that:

The Seven years of Great tribulation upon Earth is the
Seventieth week of Jewish history and comes after the Church Age or the Age of
Grace has ended.

But those NOT ready – not awaiting the return of Christ for
His Bride will be left behind to endure the Great Tribulation upon the Earth.

AuThor