Is There A Rapture?
There is a great stirring in the Christian circle with much talk about a pre-tribulation rapture. The pre-tribulation rapture has varying beliefs but most point to the belief that the Church, (true believers who have given their hearts to Jesus Christ and who follow Him) are being caught up and taken away with Jesus and will not take part in the seven years of tribulation in the end times. The main belief is that the second coming of Jesus and the rapture are two different events. Many believe that those who were raptured will be brought back with Him as an end-times army at the end to witness to the ones who are left behind in darkness and defeat satan. Many in this group of believers also believe that those who are raptured in this pre-tribulation rapture will receive their glorified bodies at this time too. I personally do not believe in the pre-tribulation rapture. I believe in a rapture but not a pre-tribulation rapture. My belief is in 'a post-tribulation rapture which takes place at the end of the great tribulation and occurs in conjunction with the second coming of Christ'. I believe that the whole body of Christ (His church) who are living at this time will remain and take part in this tribulation until He returns.
Some in the body of Christ do not even believe in any rapture because the word rapture is not in the Bible. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 talks about being ‘caught up’. The word ‘caught up’ is Harpazo in Greek and means catch up, take by force, and catch away. Rapture is an English word for the latin word Rapio which means ‘to seize or snatch in relation to an ecstasy of spirit’ or the actual removal from one place to another. When the word rapture is in reference to the above three Scriptures we see that it is referring to ‘being caught up in the clouds’, and ‘being resurrected and changed from your earthly body to your Heavenly body’, and being taken out of danger and delivered to safety.
Why do I believe in the Post-Tribulation rapture? Firstly I have been communing with Jesus and receiving revelatory words for the last ten years and He has never once brought a pre-tribulation rapture to my attention in the words He has personally spoken to me. Everything He has taught me is pointing to the uprising of the Saints as an army against the antichrist spirit in the end times. So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19, KJV). Many who believe in the rapture believe that Jesus is going to rescue the true believers of His Church (the ones who have been through personal tribulations and washed clean through their faith in Him) and remove them from the end times Tribulation period. Personally this makes no sense to me whatsoever. Who will preach the Gospel to the unsaved and help the rest of the Church who are lukewarm to rise up? Why are the true believers currently being sanctified to receive more of Him and being encouraged to walk closer with Him only to be taken away prematurely? Many believe that these ones who are taken up will be brought back again when He returns. What is the point of that? The lukewarm Church and the unsaved need the hope and message now from the ones who have been sanctified through the fire – not when it is too late. There is a select group of Christians who are currently going through the refining fire. The Lord showed me that these ones are the first-fruits, being tested and purified so that they come out clean. They are fore-runners, being prepared for the end times so they can be a shining light to those who are lost. These are the ones who will walk in the power and spirit of Elijah that Malachi prophesied about. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse (Malachi 4:5-6, KJV). These ones receive a double anointing of His power to preach the Gospel and set the captives free before His return. They are known as forerunners. John the Baptist was the first forerunner who came in the spirit and power of Elijah to prophesy about the first coming of Christ (Luke 1:17). Just as Elisha received the double anointing of Elijah so too will we in this uprising. I believe the following Scripture which Jesus spoke to His disciples is also aimed at His Bride and is for today. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth (John 17, 13-17, KJV). It is my belief that the enemy has twisted scripture to fit the need of this pre-tribulation rapture. Why? The Bible talks about a great falling away. Could the ones who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture be so disappointed if it does not happen only to find that they and their family are going through this tragic event only to feel abandoned, give up hope and walk away? This would be a huge reason why the enemy wants to deceive.
After writing this I then felt led to seek the Lord Jesus and ask Him directly (as I had not asked Him before) if His Church was going to be raptured and taken away before the time of great tribulation like so many believed, and it was possible that I had misinterpreted what He had previously spoken to me and lined that up with Scripture. The day I received this word was 31/05/2019. This is what I heard, “The urgency of the hour. I am calling My people to sound the alarm. I am coming soon. You need to get ready. Parable of the Ten virgins. Preparation beforehand – five of the ten virgins had oil in their lamp whilst they were waiting for the return of the bridegroom. They were ready. Five of those virgins ran out of oil because they never brought extra. Whilst they went to buy more oil the bridegroom returned and the other five went to the wedding banquet. When the five who brought oil returned they were forbidden to enter the wedding banquet. If you run out of oil you cannot see because there is no light for your lamp to show you the way. Without the light you will get lost in the darkness. The oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit. To receive more anointing one first has to be made more Christ-like. How? By the laying down of your life unto death – sanctification through the dying to self process. This is imperative to my children. It is the difference between life and death. To awaken My Church there is coming a Tsunami of My power. A tidal wave. A catastrophic event for those who are not in Christ. For those who are it will be bittersweet. On one hand they will be made well and whole but the ones who are not ready will get worse. Catastrophe and chaos is coming into the world. The fire of God has been sent to refine. If you stayed firm in the refining you will be refined and made whole in this wave of anointing. If you did not continue and work with Me, instead getting taken away by the enemy, by abandoning Me and abandoning the call hope is not lost. The ones who are refined in this wave will have an opportunity to help the ones who are lost. Those who have been seeking My face will see My face. A face to face encounter. Is it a rapture where you will be taken away out of the great tribulation? No. It is a raising up. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (Romans 8:11, KJV).
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you (2 Corinthians 4:14, KJV). Will you receive your Heavenly bodies in this time? No for it is not yet time. In this raising up there is an outpouring of My Spirit where these ones will enter into My Glory and walk in My Glory. They will be born-again in their soul and DNA. The old man will be dead and the new man will rise. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:20-24, NKJV). This is for the sake of My body – the Church. You are being raised up for them. It has always been about them – My body – the Church. I died for them – why would I take away the ones whom I am raising up when I saved them for My purposes? These ones will be given My anointing, My power, and My revelations to teach. The pre-tribulation rapture is a false doctrine to try and turn the Church away. Those who hope for this in this time will be disappointed when they start to see the tribulation come upon them. They will feel abandoned by Me but they are not. I am raising up a standard who carry My light to show the ones who are lost the way. Many do not perceive or hear My voice. I am raising up Christ-like Sons and Daughters to guide. They will walk in My power. Those who are lost will have hope shining through the darkness. Many who I am raising up in this time believe in the pre-tribulation rapture. What will happen to them? They will be mocked and belittled and called false prophets. The Church won’t trust them because they taught false doctrine. It is important My daughter to get this message out. Those with ears to hear will hear what My Spirit is saying. They will repent and turn from this deception. They will teach the truth and get back on track. This is a dangerous deception that can damage My church. During the great tribulation many of My children will lose their lives for My sake. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28, KJV). Fear God - put Him first in your life, and He will put you first in His. If you are chosen for this I will not leave you, nor forsake you. I will be with you every step of the way. I will give you peace, I will give you strength. Continue to follow Me for what is coming is the darkest of days the world has ever seen and never will again. It is time to trust Me now and be made ready so you can stand until the very end. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:10-15, NKJV).”
He then told me to look at the Scriptures where the sun is darkened and the moon turns to blood and then to determine the timeline of the rapture in accordance with this event. I did this and this is what I found:- For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. (Matthew 24:38-41, NKJV). Many talk about this Scripture where it mentions the taking away of certain people whilst others are left behind and point to this event as being the pre-tribulation rapture. If you read all of Matthew 24 you see that the sun turns to darkness and the moon to blood before these people are taken. 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 from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Matthew 24:29-31, KJV). This Scripture is clear that the rapture of the Church (remnant left behind) is when Jesus returns, coming on the clouds and is after the great tribulation.
If you put the timeline of events into order you see that this event (moon turning to blood) happens at the sixth seal. I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place (Revelation 6:12-14, NKJV). There are seven seals that need to be broken. The order in which John is shown these events is where a lot of misinterpretation comes. After John sees the breaking of the seventh seal there is silence in Heaven and then he is shown a vision of seven angels with seven trumpets. After each trumpet is sounded another catastrophe is released. 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:14 - 18 and Zechariah 14:5 says that Jesus appears in the clouds with His saints at “the last trump.” After John sees all seven trumpets released he then sees a lamb standing on the Mount of Sion with 144,000 Saints (Revelation 14). These ones are mentioned in Revelation 7 who are the 144,000 people from the tribes of Israel who are sealed and preserved for God and the destroying angels are given strict instruction that those who are sealed cannot be touched or harmed during the tribulation. These ones are not raptured but protected by the lamb of God because He is with them. After this vision seven angels carrying seven bowls of God’s wrath are released one by one. We know from Acts 1:11-12 that Jesus ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:14 gives us the future hope and assurance that Jesus will one day return to the very same location so one has to assume that Jesus standing on the Mount of Olives represents His return. In accordance with these visions we see that Jesus returns after the seventh trumpet and the vials are released after His return.
I have seen many people's interpretation of the order of seals, trumpets, and vials. The belief of many is that the seven seals are first, then the seven trumpets and lastly the vials before Jesus returns. I have put together what happens with each seal, trumpet and bowl/vial.
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer (Revelation 6:1-2, KJV).
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up (Revelation 8:7, KJV).
And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image (Revelation 16:2, KJV).
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword (Revelation 6:3-4, KJV).
And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood. (Revelation 8:8, KJV).
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea (Revelation 16:3, KJV).
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (Revelation 6:5-6, KJV).
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. (Revelation 8:10-11, KJV).
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood (Revelation 16:4, KJV).
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth (Revelation 6:7-8, KJV).
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise (Revelation 8:12, KJV).
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire (Revelation 16:8, KJV).
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held (Revelation 6:9, KJV).
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. (Revelation 9:1-3, KJV).
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. (Revelation 16:10-11, KJV).
I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17, NKJV).
Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone (Revelation 9:13-17, KJV).
Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty (Revelation 16:1-14, KJV).
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour (Revelation 8:1, KJV).
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, KJV).
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 (Revelation 11:17, KJV).
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done (Revelation 16:17, NKJV). When you study what is happening with each seal, trumpet and vial you will soon see that the events for the seals and trumpets are depicting the same event from different angles, (except the vials which are at a different time and as discussed earlier after Jesus returns). Although it appears the order is the same as how it is written we can see clearly when put together in its correct context it tells a different story. In reality it will be the first seal and first trumpet and will continue in this fashion until the seventh seal and seventh trumpet are released. In regard to the bowls/vials being released in consecutive order alongside the seals and trumpets the order of these don't seem to match up with the order of the description of the seals and trumpets. The reason for this, I recently read that the second angel sounds his trumpet and a third of the creatures die in the sea (Revelation 8:8) whereas in (Revelation 16:3) the second vial is released into the sea and every living soul dies. This means that initially a third die (second trumpet) and then later all die (second vial) so it is not the same event. Since further studying Scripture, I found that the vials are released during the day of the Lord (which is the second coming of Christ) and is also when the wrath of God is poured out on the world after Jesus has safely caught up the Church and led them to safety into the promised land (where He and His Bride will live and dwell for 1000 years).
Scripture talks about the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord. I believe these are the same event but with two different happenings. When you take both these scriptures back to the original Greek text they give the same description which is 'of the last day of this present age, the day Christ will return from heaven, raise the dead, hold the final judgment, and perfect his kingdom'. The Day of the Lord represents wrath and destruction while the Day of Christ represents resurrection and blessing. It is good for the Bride but not for the world! Jesus returns for His bride after the seventh seal is broken and the seventh trumpet is sounded - this is after the great tribulation. There is also a difference between the 'wrath of God', the 'hour of temptation' and the 'wrath of satan' during the end time tribulation that is to come on the world. The 'tribulation', which is the seven years of temptation, affliction and adversity on the whole world (which includes the seven churches of God, but excludes the Philadelphia Church) I believe is known as the 'hour of temptation'. The wrath of satan (Revelation 12:12) I believe is the last 3 1/2 years of the 'tribulation' and known as the 'great tribulation' (Matthew 24:21) where satan wages war against the saints and the world which begins when the antichrist sets up an abomination (which is supposed to be an idol of worship) and creates laws that will outlaw Christianity, and any who resist will be put to death or severely persecuted. The 'day of the Lord' I believe is the wrath of God (Revelation 14:10 and Revelation 14:7) which is represented by the outpouring of the vials which His entire Church will be exempt from as this is after the rapture. The wrath of God begins after the seventh trumpet has sounded when the seven angels release their vials. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God (Revelation 15:1, KJV). You will see in the Scripture below in Zechariah that the silence happens (which is after the seventh trumpet is sounded) as Jesus is raised up out of His Holy Habitation to come back to earth to reclaim Jerusalem (His Holy land). Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation (Zechariah 2:10-3, KJV). This shows a completely different timeline of events compared to the way it is written in Revelation.
We see also that the great and mighty sign that Jesus is coming is the sun being darkened and the moon turning to blood. In regard to the belief of many that the seven seals are first, then the seven trumpets, if the seven trumpets were released after the seventh seal (after the half an hour of silence) like most believe, then the sun should already be darkened and the moon turned to blood at the release of the first trumpet, but according to Scripture at the sound of the fourth trumpet only 1/3 of the sun is darkened. This cannot be if it has already been through the sixth seal where it is completely darkened.
If you read Joel and the timeline of events you see again the mentioning of the sun turning to darkness and the moon to blood. This event happens after a great and mighty carnage has been released on the earth. It talks about a plague of locusts that are likened to fire which destroys. There is a great lack of blessings. Interestingly this plague of locusts is also mentioned in Revelation 9 and happens when the 5th trumpet is sounded. There is a call to repentance and God restores all that was stolen back to His people. The world rises up in this time against the followers of Christ (His Bride) and He will be a refuge, a strong fortress to His bride during this time.
Before the return of the Lord Jesus He pours out His Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28) and (Acts 2:17) and during this time the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the Lord come. Upon His return He will pardon His bride and the Lord will make His home with His people. “And it shall come to pass afterward, That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls (Joel 2:28-32, NKJV).
For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days (Mark 13:19-20, NKJV).
“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven (Mark 13:24-27, NKJV).
And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Matthew 24:31).
Again we see by Mark 13.27 when this gathering happens it is taking place after the great tribulation. These events clearly show that the rapture does not happen before the tribulation.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 says that the rapture will happen at “the coming of the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 teaches that Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection…then afterward they that are His at His coming. The scriptures do not teach two comings after His resurrection and ascension to the Father but one. Scripture does however teach about a first and second resurrection for the body of Christ from mortal to immortal. The first resurrection happens at the day of the Lord/day of Christ as described in Revelation 20:4-6 and again later after the 1,000 year millennial in the second resurrection when those who did not take part in the first resurrection are raised up and changed. This is when the New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven and the rest of the world is judged.
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 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 4:13-17, NKJV).
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling 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.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54, NKJV).
But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15: 35-44, NKJV).
When we look at the scriptures above we see that the Rapture is intertwined with the Resurrection. This combined event is a 'Resurrection-Rapture'. The two are part of a single event that happens at the coming of Christ. In one single awesome day - 'The Day of the Lord/ Day of Christ', in the twinkling of an eye, this great rapture will occur. At that moment the dead are resurrected and the living are raptured and all of the chosen enter into the glory together at the same time. Paul the Apostle gives us the sequence in very clear and concise terms. He tells us that the Resurrection of the righteous dead immediately precedes the Rapture of the living.
Jesus Himself tells us clearly when He will be raising up His saints . Many times in John 6 Jesus states categorically that He will 'raise His people up at the last day. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:39-40, NKJV).
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:44, NKJV).
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day John 6:54, NKJV).
With everything I have learned and been shown by God this is what I believe is going to happen. The antichrist is currently rising up in power. God has been refining His Church through the fire and preparing an army of first-fruits to rise up against him. First fruits in Greek is Aparchēn and simply means 'a beginning of sacrifice'. There is coming a great wave of His anointing power. In this time there is going to be revival and an outpouring of His signs, wonders and miracles that will be released through the ones that God has prepared to carry His double anointing. These are the ones whom God has prepared (who have been refined through trials and tribulations in this time) who will be born-again in their soul (mind, will, emotions, conscience) and DNA. In other words they will still have their same earthly body (not their glorified physical bodies) but their inner man will be renewed because the old man would have died through the refining fire. In this time the Church will experience revival (healings, signs and wonders) even as the world will experience chaos. When the raising up takes place I believe these ones will have face-to-face encounters with Jesus – some may even be taken up into the Heavenlies to meet with Him (much like John and Paul when they went into the third Heaven). There will be an exchange – His heart for their hearts. They will look the same, but they will not be the same as before this event. They will preach the gospel, heal the sick and release those who are bound. They will walk in the same power that Jesus did. They will be one with Him in spirit and soul. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common (Acts 4:32, KJV).
These ones will provoke the rest of the church to jealousy and help them to rise up in Him also. The world will get worse, things will look bad. God will keep those who are His under the shelter of His wings. He will provide for them. They will avoid the mark and teach others to do the same. Many of His followers however will die during the great tribulation for His names sake, (the ones who are exempt from this are the 144,000) but He will give His children who are called to be martyrs the strength and the peace to enable them to do this.
Scripture shows us that there are two resurrections. Those in the first resurrection are from two groups of people, the first being the 144,000 who are from the 12 Tribes of Israel and are the ones who are sealed. And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed (Revelation 7:4, NKJV). The second group are the ones who cannot be numbered and are from every tribe, nation and tongue. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them (Revelation 7:9-15, NKJV). The great multitude are the ones who overcome - either through physical death (who come back with Jesus when He returns) or are the ones who overcome and do not deny Christ and are found without spot or blemish. When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed (Revelation 6:9-11, NKJV).
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14, NKJV). This group obviously come down in spirit form and receive their new bodies at the same time as the ones who are caught up. The word of God shows us that these ones are the Heavenly army and known as His Bride (Rev 19: 7-18) and are the blessed ones who attend the Wedding feast. The other group who are caught up with them are the ones (His Bride) who remain on earth in Him until the end (the 144,000 and the ones who have overcome. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming (1 Corinthians 15:23, KJV).
Before the final and great day of the Lord comes I believe there will be another outpouring of His Spirit where the rest of the Church who followed Him and His ways will rise up alongside the ones who are already walking in the fullness of His power and anointing. There will be an even greater revival.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 shows us that when He returns in the clouds that is when His Bride is changed into their new heavenly bodies. No one is changed into their Heavenly bodies ahead of this event.
The beginning of revelation lists the seven churches who will go through the tribulation and what they inherit when they overcome. At the post-tribulation rapture it is my belief that these two groups will face judgement and will live and reign with Christ on earth in the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for 1000 years in the first resurrection. “Thus says the Lord: ‘I will return to Zion, And dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, The Mountain of the Lord of hosts, The Holy Mountain' (Zechariah 8:3, NKJV).
And the beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:19-20, NKJV).
In this time the devil is bound. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while (Revelation 20:1-3, NKJV).
The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment 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 worshiped 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, NKJV). Those who take part in the first resurrection are given power to judge the world. I also believe the 1,000 year millennial will all take place in one day. According to 2 Peter 3:8 one thousand years is as one day and this will probably all transpire on the Day of the Lord/Day of Christ.
After the thousand years the devil is loosed for a time to go out and deceive the nations. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:7-10, NKJV). After this the devil is cast into the lake of fire. The rest of the church (the dead) who did not partake in the first resurrection will stand before God and are judged for their works with the rest of the world. Whoever was found not written in the Book of Life are also cast into the fire. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:11-13, NKJV).
After these events those who are written in the Lambs book of Life live and dwell with Him in peace forever! The New Heaven and New Earth come and the old heaven and earth pass away. 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, NKJV).
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:3-5, NKJV).
It appears that it is very important to have such a relationship with Jesus that we will be ready when the tribulation of the world comes. It is imperative that we have oil in our lamps. This means that we have fully yielded our lives to Jesus so that His strengths can rest upon our weaknesses. Time is short. If you have made a commitment to follow Jesus but don’t have a personal relationship with Him it is time to make Him your first priority.
I have heard many talk about how the Church is exempt from the hour of temptation and why they believe it means the pre-trib rapture.
The Faithful Church
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name (Revelation 3:7-12, KJV). This Scripture talks about 'an hour of temptation' that the Church of Philadelphia will be exempt from and is for those who have kept the word of His patience. The word temptation in this passage is Peirasmos and means 1b) the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy 1b1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances 1b2) an internal temptation to sin 1b2a) of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand 1b3) of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness 1b4) adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness. The word hour in this passage in Greek is Hora and means 'a certain definite time or season'. The word ‘will keep’ in Greek is Tereo and means ‘to watch over, to guard’. This Church represents today a type of people who I believe have been tried and tested through the fire of God in the season before the tribulation of the world to prepare them for what is to come. I believe the 'hour of temptation' is 'the seven years of tribulation' which is for the entire world (and the rest of the Church). The last 3 1/2 years is the great Tribulation and is the wrath of satan. It is also my belief that the Philadelphia Church who is exempt from the 'hour of temptation' could also be the 144,000. The 144,000 are sealed before the beginning of the seven year tribulation and protected throughout. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel (Revelation 7:1-4, KJV). (The reason I believe they are sealed before the beginning of the tribulation and not after the sixth seal is broken (like many suppose) is that the angel tells the four angels not to harm the earth, sea and trees until they are sealed. The Bible clearly shows us upon the breaking of the sixth seal the earth is devastated by a huge earthquake which displaces mountains. This command therefore makes no sense. We have also already concluded that the 1st seal and 1st Trumpet are released concurrently. After the first trumpet Scripture shows us that trees and green grass are burned up. The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up (Revelation 8:7, KJV). The passage therefore in Revelation 7 although appearing between the sixth and seventh seal is not appearing as another 'seal' event but as an additional body of information 'apart from' and 'in addition' to the seven seal events and what is known as an interlude. Therefore, even though this interlude is placed between the sixth and seventh seal events, we should not think that it is describing things that occur between the sixth and seventh seal events).
In regard to the hour of temptation initially I thought this represented the wrath of God being poured out in the form of the vials at the 'day of the Lord' but then realised it cannot be, because according to Scripture God does not tempt anyone so it has to be the temptation and wrath of satan (the entire seven year tribulation) that these ones are exempt from. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone (James 1:13, KJV). Although the lamb is the one who opens the seals that begins the tribulation this does not mean that it is the wrath of God. God can and does open the door to allow satan to tempt His church but God Himself does not do the tempting. God is in control of all things. You only have to see the book of Job to see how God allowed satan to test Job but clearly none of this was the wrath of God being poured out on him and his family. Also in Revelation 14:7 there is a reference to the hour of judgment where God pours out His wrath and again in Revelation 17:1 where one of the seven angels carrying one of the seven vials of the wrath of God is about to pour out judgment on the whore of Babylon. Judgment is not the same as temptation. Judgement comes after one has been tempted. Another reason I think the 144,000 may be the Church of Philadelphia is that they both have the name of God written on them (Revelation 3:12) and (Revelation 14:1). The Bible says that the 144,000 are from the twelve tribes of Israel and are virgins. Many suppose them to be Jewish men. I do not believe this is the case. The word Jew in Greek according to Strong’s concordance is loudaios and means 'of Judea'. In Hebrew it is Yehuwidy and means 'Judah'. Only 12,000 of the 144,000 are Jews, the rest are from the other tribes of Israel (Israel meaning those who came from Jacob who was later named Israel by God). Anyone of us today could descend from the lost tribes of Israel. In regard to the 144,000 having never slept with a woman this again I do not believe is a literal term. The Bible describes the whore of Babylon as a great Harlot woman. She represents the world and the worldly system in allegiance with the beast. She is an idolatrous figure. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2, KJV). This Scripture really says it all. The Corinthians were just as sexually active and a perverted culture as any in history, but Paul says that his goal was to present them 'as a chaste virgin to Christ'. The word chaste in Greek is Hagnos and means 2a) pure from carnality, chaste, modest 2b) pure from every fault, immaculate 2c) clean. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27, KJV). This Scripture shows the people of the church, defiled by sin, becoming unblemished, wrinkle free, holy, and spotless. When we compare this to the nation of Israel as a type, Ezekiel 16:9 shows God cleaning up His people. Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil (Ezekiel 16:9, KJV). Sinners who have been cleansed constitute the 144,000, and they are designated as 'virgin'. When we are born-again we are sanctified, set apart and made holy. We are saved and nothing can take away this free gift from God except if we choose not to accept it. The world however is still in us even after we are born-again. The world is our carnality - our flesh - the soul and physical body. These parts of us need to be preserved blameless. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23, KJV). The Bible says to 'come out of her'. It is talking about Babylon - the world. We are told to separate ourselves from the world. Although we are in the world we are told we are not of the world. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. God wants to present us to Jesus as His Bride upon His return undefiled, without spot or wrinkle. We need to be ready. We need to allow the Holy Spirit in us to help us. We need to work with Him and allow Him to wash us clean. The ones who go though this process are the ones who take part in the first resurrection. These ones get to live and dwell with Jesus in the promised land (Physical Israel) for the 1,000 year millennial period. The book of Revelation lists all the seven Churches of God. Each one shows what they need to do to be cleansed. If they repent and become overcomers to each one is given a Heavenly reward. Although Christians will go through the tribulation those who have persevered and remained faithful and received the crown of life will take part in the first resurrection (this includes those who were martyred and remained in Him until the end) and will evade the wrath of God being poured out on the day of the Lord and also the last and final judgment on the earth and its inhabitants when it is destroyed and taken away.
In conclusion and in regard to the pre-tribulation rapture (as I have previously discussed) I do not personally believe in this and believe it is a false doctrine. How do false doctrines happen? There are many ways this happens. One way is through men and woman who pose as servants of God (but who really work for the kingdom of darkness) who preach and teach these things using false signs and wonders. Another way is when a deceiving spirit (angel of light) speaks to a true prophet of God and feeds them the deception. A deceiving spirit speaks scriptural truths and quotes the word of God but adds in deceptive twists. They can be really hard to discern. The deceptive twists can be missed if the majority of the word lines up with Scripture. Knowing the word of God, the character of God, and the voice of Jesus and having an intimate relationship with Jesus is one way to overcome these deceptive spirits, as well as asking for the gift of discerning of spirits. Another way this deception can come into the body of Christ is when one takes a revelation from God and puts their own interpretation on it ignorantly to suit their own ideas or mind-sets. Also if preaching from the word of God and using scripture, a singular passage should never be taken out of context and used in a way where it goes against its original intent. When one misquotes a singular scripture and you then read the passage it originally came from the true message can be completely lost when using just this one scripture. If I am correct about the pre-tribulation doctrine being false and it does not happen and the great tribulation comes upon the world, Christians who believed in it will feel very hurt, confused and abandoned by God. False doctrine is brought in by the enemy to cause damage and lead you away from the correct course. Pray always to God and ask Him to show you always any false doctrine you are believing, following or teaching.
In regard to the pre-tribulation rapture I have covered most of the Scriptures used by those who teach it in this article, and shown how they apply to the post-tribulation rapture but to be thorough I want to discuss two more that I haven’t used in my article. The first is the fig tree. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled (Matthew 24:32-34, KJV). Most who have studied this Scripture believe the fig tree is an analogy of Israel (the church) and that this is a hidden message to watch out for the rapture. The belief is that the parable of the fig tree is to do with the rebirth of the nation of Israel; that a fig tree symbolizes national Israel and the new growth on the fig tree was a prophetic image of Israel being reborn. Apparently the fig tree blossomed in 1948 in Israel which makes this generation the one which will not pass away before the rapture happens. Today there is much talk because the fig trees in Israel are blossoming mightily. What is interesting to me is that the Scripture is actually referring to the new leaves being the sign, not the fruit. God told me once years ago that the fig tree produces fruit before it produces new leaves and that the Church (we) are like the fig tree. He told me that before we produce new leaves we must first produce fruit. Any tree that does not bear fruit is destroyed. If we are the fig tree then one must assume that when we have produced fruit we will then receive new leaves, which if the analogy is correct means a rebirth. As previously discussed the Lord has been talking to me about the rebirthing of our soul which happens with the next great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Interestingly the tree of life in Revelations is mentioned for its leaves which bring the healing. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations (Revelations 22:2, KJV). This depicts that we walk in a greater anointing and power after we have produced good fruit and received the rebirthing of our soul (new growth - the leaves). The parable of the fig tree is pointing to the coming of the Kingdom of God. I believe Jesus comes again first in Spirit through His Holy Spirit (which is the greater infilling of the Spirit that is coming into our soul), then physically when He actually returns coming in the clouds where every eye will see Him. The more appropriate analogy of the fig tree then is when the body of Christ have produced fruit (the first-fruits) and are ready and receive this greater infilling, this is the sign that the day of the Lord draws near. Generally what is happening in the natural is also happening in the spiritual so the fruit blossoming on the trees is surely a sign that the greater infilling is near.
The second passage that I want to mention is the woman and her man-child (Revelation 12). And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne (Revelations 12:5, KJV). The belief is that the man-child is the church being raptured. It is very clear that the man-child is Jesus and not the Church when you read the whole passage in its correct context. Jesus is the one who rules the nations with an iron rod. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (Revelations 19:15, KJV). He then passes that authority on to us at His return and our bodies of clay will be broken to shivers because that is when we receive our new heavenly bodies. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father (Revelations 2:26-27, KJV). The man-child is again mentioned in Isaiah 66:7-9 which clearly shows you that the man-child is Jesus as it speaks of the first and second coming of Christ. The woman represents the 12 Tribes of Israel. After the man-child is caught up to the Throne the woman flees into the wilderness and is protected by God for 31/2 years which I believe represents the 'Hour of temptation and the first 31/2 years of the Tribulation. A war breaks out between the dragon and Michael the archangel. The dragon is cast out of Heaven with his angels because the saints overcame him by the word of their testimony and the Blood of the lamb. The dragon is angry and persecutes the woman. The woman is again protected by God by being given the wings of an eagle to fly into the wilderness for another 31/2 years, which represents the time of the 'wrath of satan' (Great tribulation). During this time the flood comes and the earth protects the woman in this flood. The flood represents the enemy coming in like a flood (Isaiah 59:19) but God raises up a standard against him. The dragon (satan) is angry with the woman (who I believe at this time represents the rest of the first-fruits who have now been raised alongside the 144,000) because he cannot touch them. He then wages war against the rest of her seed (the church who were not raised up in this infilling). I believe there will be a raising up of the 144,000 which involves a greater infilling of the Holy Spirit, then they will help the rest of the Church who will listen to do the same and they too will be raised up into the fullness of their purpose through a greater infilling of the Holy Spirit. I believe this will happen around the beginning of the last 3 1/2 years. The whole of Revelation 12 actually shows how the body of Christ remain here on earth throughout the tribulation when read in its correct context. Interestingly when it mentions the war between the dragon and Michael the archangel I initially thought it was a past event, from when God first made the Heavens and the earth and the devil was cast down, but it is not as when you read all of Revelation 12 you see that the dragon came to earth with a third of his angels in verse 4 to devour the child and then he was later cast out in verse 9 (after the fight because of the saints, the Blood of the Lamb and the word of the saints testimony) which is still to come because immediately afterward the woman is protected in the wilderness for the 31/2 years from the wrath of satan. The wrath timeframe starts because he is cast out.
I would also like to mention that the ones who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture talk about the peace that is in the world before Jesus comes to gather up His Bride. They ascertain that it can't possibly be in the time of the 'Great Tribulation' but Scripture shows us that the world is troubled by the two witnesses (Revelation 11) and just before His return these two witnesses are killed by the beast and the world is rejoicing in this time. It is my belief that the two witnesses are two Churches (who are two of the seven Churches mentioned in the beginning of Revelation) who overcome. The Churches are called the seven golden candlesticks and the two witnesses are called the two olive trees and the two candlesticks. 3 1/2 days after they are killed by the beast they are brought back to life by God breathing His breath into them and they are then taken up into the clouds into Heaven. They then return with Jesus and come down on the clouds with Him at His return. I believe that these ones are the dead in Christ who rise first and then those that remain are caught up with them and changed together. At the same hour there is a great earthquake which signals the Day of the Lord. The 'Day of Christ' (resurrection and blessing) is first then immediately after is the 'Day of the Lord' (wrath and destruction).
Another Scripture I would like to leave with you is headed up as The Great Apostasy in the New King James Bible. In this Scripture Paul makes it clear that the day of the Lord, (His return and the final judgment), will not transpire until two things happen. First, the falling away, (or great apostasy), must occur. Second, the “man of lawlessness” must be revealed, he who is called the “son of perdition,” also known as the Antichrist. Many will be deceived by this man and follow after him. The mark of the beast system is all part of the falling away that this Scripture talks about. This is clear that the Church will be tested in this time before the Lord returns for His bride. The ones who refuse the mark and endure to the end will be saved!
The Great Apostasy
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, NKJV).
(PRAYER) – “Father God I pray that You would always show me false doctrine and its practices. I repent for entering into false doctrine, including the belief in the pre-tribulation rapture where the church gets caught up and taken out of the tribulation that is coming upon the world. I repent for teaching this false doctrine. I pray Lord Jesus that I will receive a great and mighty outpouring of Your Holy Spirit where the new man will be birthed in Your strength. I pray that I will see Your Glory and walk in Your Glory, and have a face to face encounter with You. I pray for strength, insight, keys, revelation and peace to be able to withstand the tribulation and wrath of satan. I pray that I will witness the second coming of the Lord and partake of the Day of Christ. If I am in the group who is sealed with Your mark to be preserved during these times of tribulation, thank You that I cannot be touched or harmed in this time. Keep me strong in this time Lord Jesus. Keep me focused on You. If I am in the great multitude group that will lose my life for Your names sake I pray that You will enable me to do this. Your word says not to fear the one who can kill my body but fear God who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell, so my prayer Lord Jesus is that You fill me with the fear of God to keep me in those days. If I am in the group that remains until Your return I pray that You keep me in this time and give me wisdom and discernment to see and hear the things of God. I pray also Lord Jesus that You would show me truth and give me a discerning spirit to discern false prophets and false Christ’s who are being sent to try and deceive the body of Christ. I pray that I will live and dwell with You in the promised land for the 1,000 year millennial and be a pillar in the Temple of God in the New Jerusalem. If I am not in the first resurrection Lord Jesus I pray that I would then take part in the second resurrection, and live and dwell in the New Jerusalem, the Holy City and be with You forever and ever, In Jesus name, Amen.”
By Tania Francis