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The Pre-Trib Rapture is Solid Biblical Truth. Here's Why.



As I've shared before, most of my life I believed in what is known as the “post-trib rapture.” 

“Why should we escape?” I would ask. (In today's vernacular, it might sound like, “Why are we such special snowflakes?”) While I turned this part of me off for several years, I still believed the Church would be tested during the seven-year tribulation, face the mark of the beast, have to endure to the end to be saved, and should prepare to hide in the woods with extra jugs of water, first-aid supplies, and well-preserved food.

(The movie The Road illustrates what I imagined this apocalyptic time to be like. Interestingly, it came out in 2009 and was set ten years in the future.)

Before I go on, it's important to say that when I talk about the “before” and “after” of my doctrinal transformation, I do so with humility. I'm not sitting here thinking I'm more enlightened or wise than those who believe differently, and I hope this is evident in my words. I pray that sharing what the Lord has shown me through Scripture will provide a fresh invitation, if needed, to re-visit this topic, re-evaluate beliefs and doctrine, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I believe that most who take this seriously are, like me, more concerned with truth than with “being right” and have probably studied this intensely for years. I respect that and am sure there is much I can learn from you.

Truth and comfort

I also want to offer a simple and clear message of comfort. Many in the body of Christ are anxious about world events, confused about prophetic timelines, uncertain and afraid. My hope is to present a Scriptural study that the Lord will use to settle the hearts and minds of those who need it.

Many are excited right now about this upcoming Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets and Israel's New Year. It will occur around Sept. 10-11, 2018. The Apostle Paul tells us that the Lord’s appearing will be “at the last trump,” and traditionally, the Feast of Trumpets is the feast that “no man knows the day or hour” because it is based on the sighting of the New Moon by two witnesses in Israel. If the sky is cloudy and the New Moon is not seen, the feast is not declared yet. If God delays the New Moon, or somehow does not allow the witnesses to see it, the feast is not declared. I’m not an expert on the feasts and do not know if the Lord will appear to receive us to Himself during the Feast of Trumpets or another time, but I don’t know that He won’t, either. So as always, I watch.

I love studying prophecy. I am passionate about eschatology, but I’ve come to realize that the more I know, the less I know. So I come humbly, knowing for sure only Christ Jesus and Him crucified. (1 Cor. 2:2) When it comes to prophetic things, we see through a glass darkly. There is so much we simply won’t or can’t know until world events continue to unfold and the Holy Spirit confirms the prophetic fulfillments through Scripture. With that said, I do believe Scripture is clear on what will happen to the Church in these last days. We may not know exactly when, but we know it is very soon—mere moments or mere days away.



Not a salvation issue

As I move forward, I want to be clear about this. While I firmly believe that a “pre-tribulational rapture” is the clear teaching of Scripture, it is not a salvation issue and I love and respect my brothers & sisters who believe differently. I hope this article encourages you and gives you something to bring to the Lord in prayer, but we need to remember that the most important thing to get right is the gospel. We are saved because Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:1-4) and gave us the free gift of eternal life. We believe Him and put our trust in His blood. This is THE most important message of all, more so than rapture timelines. We can lovingly disagree on the interpretation of prophecy, but the gospel is another matter. I am full of fierce love for it and will humbly contend for it as long as I live. Believing the true gospel is literally a matter of life and death, but not so with eschatology.

I love how Scripture is full of prophecy and that it pleased God to furnish us with wisdom and revelation about the last days. This is not an exhaustive study, and there are many more passages that support this, but the Scriptures I share below have been strongly on my heart. In the interest of space, I do not always include the full verses so please get your Bible and read them along with the context.

So with that, I want to define terms.

1. Tribulation 

When I talk of the tribulation, I am referring to the time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jer. 30:7) and Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:24-27), which I shorten to “D70.” This time period of 7 years concludes with the Second Coming Of Jesus (Rev. 19:11-15, Zech. 14:3-4).

This might be a minor point, but the “time of Jacob’s Trouble” and “Daniel’s 70th week” are more accurate terms than the word “tribulation.” The word “tribulation” means trial, trouble, and distress. Jesus promised that in the world we would have tribulation, but to be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world. (John 16:33). Tribulation, in and of itself, is not something we can avoid. We live in a fallen world and times are hard. No one is exempt from tribulation, but we have the victory of Christ and the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit to sustain and guide us through it.

Jesus described the last half of D70 as a time of Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:15-21). This phrase describes the harrowing nature of the suffering and distress that will come upon the earth during the last 3.5 years of Jacob’s Trouble.



2. Rapture

This happens when Jesus descends from heaven to receive the Church in the air, but does not actually return to the earth (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

The word “rapture” is not in our English Bibles. It comes from the Latin “rapiemur” and means “caught up,” just like the same word in 1 Thess. 4:17. The Greek word for rapture / caught-up is “harpazo,” which means “seizing, catching up, catching away.” It describes a forceful snatching out of danger. It is not the same word used for ascension, which implies a gentle floating up. Harpazo is what you do when your child is running into the street and a car is barreling down on her. As a watchful and loving parent, you harpazo her.

Scripture also describes this event as the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” Titus 2:13 

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8 

Paul wrote to Timothy,

“...keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” (1 Tim. 6:11-15) 

And then we have this magnificent verse: 

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:” (2 Tim. 4:1)

This is stunning. Paul mentions judgment:

a) for the living and the dead (two different groups)
b) at His appearing and His kingdom (two different times)

This may be the clearest distinction between the rapture and the second coming. The living are those who are born again, even if they are “asleep in Jesus,” or dead in Christ. The Living are judged at the Judgment seat of Christ, where Jesus will offer rewards based on our works. Writing to believers, Paul tells us:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:7-10) 

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Cor. 3:11-15)


Now compare the following two judgments which happen after Daniel’s 70th week and bookend the millennial kingdom:

A. At the beginning of the millennial kingdom: the judgment of the remnant saints who died during the time of Jacob’s Trouble:

“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, [faith] who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands [works]. 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.” (Rev. 20:4-6)

B. At the end of the millennial kingdom: the judgment of sinners, also known as “the dead:”

“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. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:11-15)

3. Pre-trib rapture, pre-wrath rapture, post-trib rapture 

Pre-trib rapture is the term most people use and understand regarding the doctrine of the pre-Daniel’s-70th-week harpazo of the Church. I don’t consider it an accurate term for reasons cited above, but I use it when needed for clarification. Pre-wrath rapture, or mid-trib, refers to the theory that the Church will go through the first half of Daniel's 70th week but will be raptured prior to the second half, which contains the bowls of wrath that are poured out onto the earth. Post-trib is the idea that the rapture occurs at the very end of Daniel's 70th week.

4. Church 

Distinguished from the remnant saints who come to Christ during the time of Jacob’s Trouble, the Church is the body of Christ. It is made of all believers, Jews and Gentiles in the age of Israel's partial blindness, who are saved by grace through faith, not of works. Our faith is in the blood of Jesus who paid for our sins on the cross. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit and our salvation is secure. The Church has NOT replaced Israel. 

5. Israel 

God’s chosen people with whom He has an everlasting covenant. He will forgive them and save them. (Rom. 11:25-32)

6. 2nd Coming

The Second Coming is when Jesus returns to earth with His body, feet to the ground, after Daniel's 70th week. He will fight His enemies at Armageddon and set up His kingdom. (Rev. 1:7, Zech. 12:10-14, Rev. 19:11-21)





The rapture: a mystery revealed to Paul 

The rapture of believers and the resurrection of the dead in Christ comes from the teaching of Paul. Here is what the Lord revealed to him, and here is where we receive the doctrine of the catching away of the body of Christ, otherwise known as the rapture:

“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.” (1 Cor. 15:51-52)  

“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 [Greek: harpazo] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:15-18) 

People debate the timing of the rapture, not necessarily that there is one. I would say that most Christians, if not all, agree that there will be a rapture & resurrection of believers. This is super clear in Scripture. Where we disagree is primarily in the timing. Is the rapture of the Church before Daniel’s 70th week? Is it 3.5 years into it? Is it at the end, after the antichrist rules & the mark of the beast occurs? Does it really matter?

Yes. Scripture puts the harpazo of the Church before the time of Jacob’s Trouble. The rapture is how the Lord removes His body from the earth prior to Daniel’s 70th week, because the Church can't be part of the time of Jacob's Trouble. (More on that below.)

Furthermore, a lot of the misunderstanding around the timing of the rapture comes from an evil root: replacement theology. This satanic doctrine falsely teaches that the Church has replaced Israel—a lie from the father of lies which results in (or at least supports) deception around the rapture. I believe the confusion or disagreement can be decreased or eliminated when we understand the purpose of the Church and grasp the distinctions between the Church and Israel.

Recognizing these two distinct groups, Israel and the Church, is key to this discussion.

In the age of grace  (Eph. 3:1-11), the Church is made of everyone (Jew and Gentile) who trusts that Jesus paid for our sins with His own blood on the cross. We are saved by grace through faith alone in the finished work of the Lamb. The purpose of the Church is two-fold: to be the body of Christ, and to provoke Israel to jealousy.

We know from Scripture that Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, was sent only to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. 15:24) Paul the Apostle was chosen and sent by God to the Gentiles after Israel rejected Jesus. As one of my favorite teachers, Robert Breaker, explains, Israel had three chances before this happened, but they rejected God all three times:

  • They rejected God the Father when they did not believe His testimony about His Son (1 John 5:10);
  • They rejected God the Son, Jesus the Messiah, when they crucified Him;
  • They rejected God the Holy Spirit when Stephen testified of the truth (Acts 7:51-54).

Because Israel so wholly and wholeheartedly rejected God, God turned to the Gentiles:

“But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:45-48)

“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” (Acts 28:28) 

God did this to provide salvation to the ends of the earth (bless the Lord, oh my soul! And all that is within me, bless His holy name!) and by doing so, to provoke the Jews to jealousy. (Rom. 10:19-20, Rom. 11:11-15) 



We need to understand something. If Israel had received the Messiah when He came the first time, the Church as it is today would not exist!

God’s mysteries and plans not withstanding, if the nation of Israel had not rejected Him, there would be no need for this conversation. We the body exist because God wanted to provoke the Jews to jealousy. Think about that!

Despite Israel's rejection of Christ, we know that all Israel will be saved. (Rom. 11:26) Today, Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace through faith. We call this the age of grace. It is the age of the Church and it's also the age of the partial blindness of Israel. But this age will come to an end. Scripture tells us plainly that Israel will not always be partially blind. At the moment, the only thing that matters to Israel is that the followers of Yeshua do not try to proselytize. When does Israel actually become jealous? What happens? What monumental event opens their eyes?

Why the rapture of the Church must happen before Daniel's 70th week

Scripture is full of shadow-types and examples of how God punished Israel for their sin. They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. As of now, Israel has wandered a spiritual wilderness for about 40 Jubilees. One day God will pick up where He left off; He has an everlasting covenant with Israel and will forgive them and restore them. Take a look at these Scriptures. Read them slowly and compare them to each other. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you and speak to you as you read.

Thousands of years ago, the partial blindness of Israel and provoking them to anger and jealousy was prophesied by God through Moses:

“And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith. They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.” (Deut. 32:20-21)

Paul echoed these words when he wrote:

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.” But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” (Rom. 10:16-21)

Paul went on to say,

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, [see Rev. 19:11-15, Zech. 12:7-14]
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.” 

Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” (Rom. 11:25-32)

“Therefore He shall give them up, until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel.” Micah 5:3 



Notice a similar message in these two verses:

“...blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (from Rom. 11:25) 

“Therefore He shall give them up, until the time that she who is in labor has given birth;” (from Micah 5:3)

Here we see a temporary setting-aside of Israel that comes to a clear and definite end. God has not hidden His face from Israel forever; in fact, He tells us plainly when He will return to them and restore them: when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and when she who is in labor has given birth.

This is why Rev. 12 is such a crucial chapter during these times. Last year, on Sept. 23, 2017, we witnessed a celestial alignment that matched Rev. 12:1-2 and pointed us to the striking imagery of a woman in labor who gives birth. It was like a huge pin on a map: YOU ARE HERE. In the months since, the unfolding convergence shows beyond a doubt that we are nearing the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Look at Isaiah:

Before she was in labor, she gave birth; Before her pain came, she delivered a male child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children.” Is. 66:7-8 

Zion is the heavenly Jerusalem. Paul spoke of her when he said, “for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Gal. 4:25-26) This is us! Saints, WE are the birth that comes before the labor; we are the children of the free woman, the children and heirs of grace, of those who have “an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

“Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman [symbolized by Hagar / the law] and her son [Ishmael / the flesh], for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” (Gal. 4:30-31)

So while the rapture is for the Church, it's really about Israel and Jerusalem.

To recap what we've covered so far, Scripture teaches that God revealed the mystery of the Church and the salvation of the Gentiles to Paul. The reason? To provoke the Jews to jealousy. But God has an everlasting covenant with Israel and WILL return to them. The question is, how and when will all of this be achieved? I believe the Bible reveals that the birth-before-labor is the pre-Daniel’s-70th-week rapture, and the labor is none other than the time of Jacob’s Trouble. (Jer. 6:24, Isaiah 21:2-3)

Daniel’s 70th week is for Israel and has a specific purpose. Very clearly, the angel Gabriel revealed this to the prophet Daniel:

“Seventy weeks are determined for your people [Israel] and for your holy city [Jerusalem] To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.” Dan. 9:24



Reconciliation, Wrath & Destruction

The first sixty-nine weeks were fulfilled 2000 years ago. The last one, the seventieth, and where we get the phrase “Daniel's 70th week,” remains. The Church wasn't part of the first sixty-nine and according to Scripture, won't be part of the last one.

Let's go back to harpazo. It is a sudden and quick snatching out of danger. When does this need to happen? Paul explains clearly:

“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath [the day of destruction], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (1 Thess. 5:2-10) 

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Rom. 5:8-10)

Pardon the English lesson here, but sudden destruction comes upon “them.” “They” shall not escape. “You” is not the same as “them” or “they.” How do you escape from inescapable sudden destruction that will come as a snare on ALL those who dwell on the face of the whole earth? 

You are harpazo'd. Snatched out quickly.

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day [the day of the Lord] come on you unexpectedly [Paul: overtake you as a thief]. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Look what Jesus says to the faithful church:

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Rev. 3:10)

How will Jesus keep the faithful church from the hour of trial, the labor, which is to come upon the whole world? According to Scripture, He harpazo's them.

“Yes, but we are only promised to escape the wrath.”

This statement comes from those who believe the wrath of God begins halfway into Daniel's 70th week, presumably because the bowls of wrath are poured out near the end. Since we are not appointed to wrath, this theory concludes that the Church will be raptured halfway, taken out before the wrath begins.

A couple points about this. Scripture is clear that the wrath of God comes at the beginning of Jacob's Trouble (Eze. 38:18-19, Rev. 6:16-17). Before the trumpets begin, the 144k are sealed on their foreheads to save and protect them (Rev. 7:2-3) because they were not raptured and remain on earth during this time. This shows that a serious change has taken place. Saved people during the age of grace are sealed by the Holy Spirit in our hearts (Eph. 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 1:21-22), so this describes a different age than the one we're in now.

Furthermore, I say with humility that it is eisegesis (reading into the text) to say that 1 Thess. 5:9 is speaking only of God's wrath. God is not the only one with wrath during the last days. Rev. 12:12 clearly shows the devil's wrath: “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”


“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17, kjv)

Wait. Remnant?

This sounds just like what we read in Micah 5:3.

“Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.”

Back to wrath: I believe that the entire seven years is about wrath. It gets progressively worse, but wrath is another way to say “the Day of the Lord.” Consider Paul's reminder that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. He equates the Day of the Lord with sudden destruction. However, “God did not appoint us to wrath,” he says, “but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Salvation is the counterpoint to wrath here. We are not appointed to sudden destruction, and the passage equates salvation with escape. It is very clear. As a particular section in a Daniel's-70th-week timeline, “pre-wrath” is a man-constructed concept. The only true pre-wrath rapture is the pre-tribulation rapture.

Final thoughts on the post-tribulation rapture theory

Let me reiterate that I am not making light of the beliefs held by other brothers and sisters in the Lord. Speaking for myself, this theory was mostly held together by one question: why should I escape? It didn't make sense that the Church would be exempt from the seven years of trial that is coming upon the world. At the very least, it wasn't fair. Going deeper, I believed that suffering made me more holy, so I viewed it as an honor. I hoped I would become a martyr for Christ. (Oh, the self-righteousness! The pride!)

My beliefs were bolstered by a lack of understanding the differences between Israel & the Church. But worst of all, I didn't understand the gospel. And this was the root. Again, speaking for myself, there was no room for the gospel of faith alone in my post-tribulational-rapture theory. A pre-trib rapture is all about grace. And mercy. And the lovingkindness of our Savior. You mean, we get to rest? We get to be snatched out of danger by a watchful and loving heavenly parent? We are worthy to escape because we rest in what Jesus did for us? We get to be in the glorious presence of Yeshua while God restores Israel?

While this is not a salvation issue, what you believe about God and the gospel will influence your rapture doctrine. I gently and urgently plead with you, beloved. If your doctrine of the rapture does not agree with removing the Church before Daniel's 70th week, I'm not gonna ask you to change your mind. (I hope you do, but it needs to come from the Holy Spirit guiding you and confirming it through Scripture.) But I will ask you this: will you stop right now and pray and examine what you believe about grace? Will you re-visit the gospel you believe? Will you make sure, like extra extra sure, that the gospel you believe is the one that saves us today? During this age of grace? During this time of the partial blindness of Israel?



I say this as humbly as I can, but the post-tribulation-rapture theory falls apart not only when encountering a myriad of prophetic Scriptures, some of which I've shared above, but also many other points. Here are a few:

  • In a post-trib view, when do we go to heaven? John 14:1-3 makes clear that Jesus is making rooms for us in His Father's house (using the precious symbology of traditional Hebrew wedding customs) and will come again to receive us to Himself. But after Daniel's 70th week, Christ is coming to rule and reign upon the earth for 1000 years. Believers will rule and reign with Him.
  • The rapture is clearly described in Scripture, so if it happens at the end, as the post-trib view teaches, what are we rescued from? The worst is over, but the word harpazo, and Paul's teachings, confirm that the rapture is a sudden snatching out of destruction and danger. He actually talks about "sudden" destruction (1 Thess. 5:3), not a gradually worsening destruction, which would necessitate a sudden snatching away.
  • The purpose of Daniel's 70th week is the restoration of Israel and judgment upon God's enemies. As the body of Christ, we are not God's enemies nor are we of national Israel, nor do we need restoration. We were formed for God's good pleasure (Eph. 1:3-14) and to provoke the Jews to jealousy. What purpose would the Church serve during the tribulation?
  • I understand how pre-wrath proponents explain 1 Thess. 5:9, but for the post-trib theory, how does going through all the years of vengeance and wrath, which we were promised to be kept from (Rev. 3:10, Nahum 1:2, etc.), reconcile with the rest of Scripture?

  • How does the post-trib view explain the promise to believers vs. unbelievers in Rom. 2:5-10? 

  • What if God really does want the body of Christ to escape all these things? What if He is truly that kind, that gracious, that merciful?

Of course, I believe He is. Am I worthy to escape all these things? Not in a million years on my own. In my flesh I am chief of sinners, evil, wicked, worthless and depraved. Nothing I can do makes me worthy. But isn't that the point? If avoiding the tribulation is based on me being good enough, then why did Jesus have to die? And if going through the tribulation is because I need to atone for my sin, tell me: did I out-sin the blood of Jesus? Was His death not enough? These two options are the only logical conclusions for this theory.

Thanks be to God for His salvation! Yeshua my Saviour has saved my soul from hell and He saves me from the wrath to come. What He did for me makes me worthy, and I have put my faith in Him who is able to keep me from stumbling and to present me faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. (Jude 1:24)

For those of us in the body of Christ today, a pre-Daniel's-70th-week catching away is the only valid theory presented to us in Scripture. To understand it, we must study the mysteries revealed by Jesus to Paul, the purpose of the Church, the differences between the Church and Israel, the everlasting covenant that God made with Abraham (the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable), the purpose of Daniel's 70th week, and we must believe the good news of the gospel. 

The goodness and kindness of God is beyond human comprehension. I urge you to believe the truth of the nature of God who reserves His wrath for His enemies (Nah. 1:2) but shows mercy to thousands (Deut. 5:10). I humbly believe that many who hold to a post-trib (or pre-wrath) view might not have fully grasped the depth of God's sweet grace. Grace is what we do not deserve. When we truly comprehend it, our only honest response is thanksgiving, obedience, abundant love and joy.



In closing, I do not believe in a “pre-trib rapture” because I'm afraid of the antichrist or getting my head chopped off or living without hot running water, fresh coffee, or electricity.

I believe in a pre-trib rapture because it is Scriptural truth. Even if you believe otherwise, if you are saved, you are going in the rapture anyway. But during these final days leading up to the glorious appearing of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, the comfort and joy of having this hope to hold onto is such a sweet mercy the Lord has given us.

One last-last thought.

Jesus is coming quickly, beloved. And Paul tells us that He will give the crown of righteousness to all who love His appearing.

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:8)

If you do not believe this appearing is when Jesus comes to receive His body to Himself, vis-à-vis the pre-trib rapture, there remains this:

“Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.” Amos 5:18

So do you love the day of the Lord's appearing, or is it woe unto you? Are we children of light, or of darkness? (1 Thess. 5:5)

It is simple to harmonize these passages. The day of the Lord's appearing is the rapture of the body of Christ. The day of darkness is the time of Jacob's Trouble.



For discussion:


  • What is the most compelling biblical case you've found for a pre-trib rapture?
  • If you hold a pre-wrath or post-trib view, what passage of Scripture anchors you in this belief and keeps you from embracing the pre-trib teaching?

I may not be able to respond to every question or comment below, but I'm hopeful that as the body of Christ we can encourage one another, exhort one another, and do so according to 2 Tim. 2:23-25 with humility, gentleness and respect.

**Note: Edited to remove references to salvation by works and recommendations for video teachings by Robert Breaker.

Post A Comment

243 comments:

  1. :) Awesome Hillary! :)

    Just a small note on "wrath's"

    You see a distinction between the wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of the Father too.

    Not sure why in the KJV the word used is his in lower case when it is talking about two aspects of the Godhead. One thing I do know is that the wrath of the Lamb is specific in relating to his Body (Church). :)

    -

    Revelation 6:16-17 (Berean Study Bible)

    And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from

    the face of the One seated on the throne [Father],

    and from the wrath of the Lamb [Jesus the Son].

    For the great day of [Their] wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”
    ___

    Revelation 6:16-17 (KJV)

    And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

    For the great day of his [G846 autos] wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
    ___

    G846 autos

    Part of Speech: Personal Pronoun
    Transliteration: autos
    Phonetic Spelling: (ow-tos')
    Short Definition: he, she, it, they, them, same

    (1) self (emphatic)
    (2) he, she, it (used for the third pers. pron.)
    (3) the same

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    1. Agreed, Jack. I wrote about the 3 wraths here. Thank you for going into the Greek with this!

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    2. Hehehe Jack... Both are right. John 10:30 LOL ;-) (the Greek word for "one" is the number 1)

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  2. Dear Hillary, "the most compelling biblical case I've found for a pre-trib rapture" (as you asked for it above) is the latest bible study video by Pastor Jimmy Root on YouTube "Last Days Awakening" channel about ISAIAH 26:16-21 so this is PLAIN PRE-TRIB PROOF (!!) FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT!

    Watch for yourself, highly recommended:

    #####
    Isaiah and the Catching Away - Rapture Alert! https://youtu.be/-vgijOVpeSo
    #####

    If I had not believed in a pre-trib rapture (but as I've always done before and will not withdraw from it) then THIS would be the 'last nail to close the coffin' so to speak to not be able to deny it any longer. Because this is rapture/resurrection proof from OT already. Wonderful teaching from Hebrew original language.

    Blessings to you, MARANATHA! And thank you for laying out all your work here, probably for the LAST TIME ever... :-)

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    1. Annabel, I was laying in bed last night after scheduling this to post today and thought that EXACT SAME THING. What if?? Oh, glory be! Thanks for the link; will check it out! God bless you.

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    2. Yep! And not only that but Jesus himself hints at it long before Paul when he is speaking to Martha at the raising from the dead of Lazarus... ;)

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  3. Thank you, Hillary. I know this will be helpful to many.

    "What is the most compelling case you've found for a pre-trib rapture?"

    As you know I've been tackling this subject for a while now and have posted numerous articles showing the overarching narrative of our deliverance from Deuteronomy 32 through Isaiah to Paul and concluding with John in Revelation. The biggest key in my mind has to be defining and clarifying eschatological terms biblically and without any preconceived, doctrinal influence imposed upon them (e.g. like you did earlier by defining and clarifying "Daniel's 70th week, Tribulation, Church, Israel, etc.").

    The glaring weakness of the pre-wrath, mid-trib views involves a short-sightedness and a "missing the forest for the trees": They do not take into account the purpose for the Church and the purpose for the 70th week. What event provokes Israel to jealousy? Surely, it can't be centuries of anti-semitism and replacement theology from within our own ranks. No, it is the full and complete salvation of the body of Christ at the Resurrection/Rapture to come in the future.

    The partial hardening will not be lifted until the Gentile-dominant Church is lifted up in glory. Period. End of story.

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    1. Heh when I shared this article in a certain group I got one response where the gentleman (I will be generous) said Don't get your hopes up... He was promoting mid trib pre-wrath.

      I had to think to myself first that:

      What are you hoping for? And what is your hope?

      Mine is certainly our Lord and SAVIOR... Nothing short of, and nothing more than.

      Another one was pushing 144 thousand and that we are going through the tribulation, and was pushing a bunch of youtube links.

      My goodness, I have only a little strength, I will keep his word, and not deny His name. He is my HOPE, and I do very much want to go home, and be kept out of the hour that is coming upon all flesh that dwells on the earth... Not through it... :)

      Our promise is just that!

      Baruch haba Be'shem Adonai!

      Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

      :) <3

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    2. Jeff dear brother, I was thinking of you when watching yesterday's teaching on Isaiah 26... So wonderful, please listen to that too: https://youtu.be/-vgijOVpeSo (Last Days Awakening) Blessings to you!

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    3. Jeff, I always appreciate your comments. The Lord has given you an incredible depth of insight, wisdom and knowledge. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to the truth and integrity of Scripture.

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    4. "Surely, it can't be centuries of anti-semitism and replacement theology from within our own ranks."

      ROFL

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    5. Gary, I agree. That was an AWESOME statement, Jeff.

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  4. What is the most compelling biblical case you've found for a pre-trib rapture? I think this is definitely one:

    The anti-christ is given power to overcome all of the tribulation saints, "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Rev. 13:7).

    Anyone who refuses the mark (tribulation saints) is beheaded: "and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands" (Rev. 20:4).

    There are none (tribulation saints) that are not beheaded/killed: "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Rev. 6:10-11).

    Conclusion: How could 1 Thes. 4:17 be true, and how could we use it to comfort one another? "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Simply, these are irreconcilable beliefs. There cannot be any that are alive and remain if all are beheaded. Therefore, the only time there would be those that are alive and remain is before the 70th week begins.

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    1. Jon-Marc, I had to chuckle because this is exactly one argument used within Jan Markells latest pre-trib defending radio show with Dr Ed Hindson from last week: https://youtu.be/wVnjbQuIStw Listen to it and be blessed! :-) MARANATHA!

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    2. "Conclusion: How could 1 Thes. 4:17 be true, and how could we use it to comfort one another? "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Simply, these are irreconcilable beliefs. There cannot be any that are alive and remain if all are beheaded. Therefore, the only time there would be those that are alive and remain is before the 70th week begins."

      As brother Barry Scarbrough would say, "BOOM!" Thanks, Jon-Marc! Glory to our Saviour!!

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    3. Yes, Jon-Marc, that's a powerful proof. I hadn't really considered this until recently, but when you realize that the saints are completely given into the antichrist's hands and all killed, that in and of itself makes 1 Thess. 4:16-18 and 1 Cor. 15:51-53 PRE-TRIB because those believers LIVING are caught up and glorified.

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    4. I would like to ask anybody who believes in mid-trib or pre wrath or post-trib, are you loving his appearing?
      Amos 5 clearly defines the day of the Lord has the time of judgement. That time of judgment will be very dark with no light in it. Well I guess the church is not the light of the world if we're still here during the tribulation and I guess that would make Jesus a liar, huh. And if Jesus is a liar then we have no hope.
      We are the light of the world, we are all children of the light end of the day we are not of the night nor of the darkness 1st Thessalonians 5. What this is saying to me is if there is no light in the day of the Lord and if we are the light of the world and if we are not of the darkness we cannot have any part of that day we are taken out before.

      From 2nd Thessalonians 2, it's the Antichrist who confirmed the Covenant with many that kicks off the tribulation. So he must be revealed before the day of the Lord begins, but he can only be revealed after the restrainer is taken out of the way. So if we are taken out of the way before the Antichrist is revealed and the Antichrist is the one who confirms the Covenant with many that starts the day of the Lord aka the tribulation then that is definite proof of pre-trib rapture.

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    5. Sorry, voice typing loves to substitute the word 'and' with 'end'
      Also 'as' with 'has'

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    6. "That time of judgment will be very dark with no light in it. Well I guess the church is not the light of the world if we're still here during the tribulation." Excellent point!

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  5. Hillary, again you show yourself a Workman Well Approved for turning the Soil of Scripture and revealing its beauty, thank you. In these closing moments, may these facts reach the eyes and ears of the few left needing to see/hear them, Maranatha!

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    1. 😭😭😭
      God bless you, brother. This is my prayer as well.

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  6. Thank you Hillary. For me, the most compelling evidence of pre-trib rapture is the Hebrew wedding tradition. The groom-to-be leaves for a period of time after commitment is secured with a cup of wine to ‘prepare a place’ at the Father’s House. And He will return; it will probably be midnight; and there will be fanfare. The bride needs to be ready, having prepared herself and persevered for however long it takes. Then he snatches her away and I believe there’s a ‘week’ of celebration.

    This in stark contrast to ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ by Shakespeare. The bride is snatched alright, but dragged behind the cart by her hair as she goes screaming in protest and pain. She is then nearly starved into submission and finally becomes agreeable.

    Messiah’s bride does not need to be beat into submission. She will come by love and stay in agreement.

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    1. The likeness of the rapture to the Hebrew wedding tradition is STUNNING!! I remember a series that Pastor JD Farag (here is the first one; I can't remember which episode in the series gives the comparison) did a few years ago that first opened my eyes to this. It's such a blessing.

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    2. IMHO The most compelling evidence of the pretribulational Rapture is Jesus telling the Church of Philidelphia that they would NOT go through the Rapture. “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.”
      ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬
      http://bible.com/111/rev.3.9.nivare not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.”
      ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬
      There is NO WAY to argue with what Jesus said.

      The second most compelling verse proving the pretribulational Rapture is found in Luke 21:36 Where Jesus encourages believers to pray that they may be counted worthy to escape the great wrath to come.
      “For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.””
      ‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:35-36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

      Then there are dozens more in OT & in NT.

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  7. "What is the most compelling biblical case you've found for a pre-trib rapture?"

    One of my favorites is not necessarily a specific verse per se, but just the idea that the purposes of the Tribulation have nada to do with the Church. The fundamental purposes of the Tribulation could summarized as (a) to purge Israel and bring forth the believing Jewish remnant, and (b) punish the nations of the world who have persecuted them. It has *no* scriptural connection with the Church whatsoever.

    A close second would be the fact that I am among those who see the Rapture clearly represented in Revelation 4:1, with the Tribulation beginning in chapter 6.

    I know you disagree with this particular point about Revelation 4:1, but that's OK.

    I love you as my SIC anyway. =:)

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    1. Love you too, BIC. :) The distinction between the Church and Israel makes all the difference here and I'm sad I didn't understand before, but I thank God for using my years of error for His glory. He truly is the Redeemer.

      Thank you for sharing & I hope to *see* you soon!

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  8. Beautifully done and powerfully presented. Thank you Hillary. In one post of discussions related to the argument propounded by the Post Trib Rapture proponents I noted one startling exchange which I'd never considered before. You touched on the contention "Why should we escape? Who do you think you are to avoid what so many through the ages have experienced?" I found the response clear and startling with 2 points only - The Post Trib Believer and scripture contends the final 7 years on earth is a time of unrelenting horror like there never has been before and never will be again. Thus, if this is true and I believe it is, if those Believers who remain alive at its occurring from the Church Age will be required to suffer through this period of time, ergo those Believers from the Church Age who have already died would then be required to be resurrected in order to go through the same level of suffering - since it has never been before nor will ever be again - in order to apply this "fairness doctrine". The concept makes it all the more clear and sheds the real light of the absurdity of the claims themselves. I believe you nailed it clearly when you said it is overarching pride and hubris. I am an escapist and clearly commanded to be one by scripture. Luke 21:36 directly from the lips of our Savior Himself, advocates this position and I'm sticking with His instruction. Blessings - You are a deft handler of the Word of the Living God. Sherry

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    1. Wow! Sherry, what a great point. I almost added a point to my note about fairness that it wouldn't be fair, either, for the first 2k years of the Church to escape, but this is so much more compelling. I realize we do not base our doctrine on fairness but this is about God's faithfulness and the body of Christ. Thank you for sharing this. And thank you for your kind, encouraging words. You are a blessing, sister. Lots of love.

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  9. Hillary your writing is so relatable. Thank you for putting this in terms I can grasp.

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    1. I'm thrilled to hear this. God bless you!

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  10. Hillary!!!!!! Now that right there is one of the best articles on this subject THAT I HAVE EVER READ!

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    1. Dear brother...YOU are a gift! Thank you for reading and I thank the Lord that this article was so meaningful to you! May He use it for His glory! God bless you.

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  11. Brilliant, Hillary. Simply brilliant!

    "What is the most compelling biblical case you've found for a pre-trib rapture?"

    Isaiah 26 and 27 lay the story out rather well for me. (Isaiah 26:17-21 ESV) state this plainly in my heart and to my understanding and conviction.

    20 Come, my people, enter your chambers,
    and shut your doors behind you; hide
    yourselves for a little while until the
    fury has passed by.

    21 For behold, the LORD is coming out
    his place to punish the inhabitants of
    the earth for their iniquity, and the
    earth will disclose the blood shed on
    it, and will no more cover its slain.


    Indeed, we will be hidden, "for a little while until the fury has passed by." Just as the children of Israel hid behind blood stained doors painted by the strokes of hyssop; so to shall we be secure in the house of our LORD until the time of His fury has passed.

    The last Passover.

    For as the blood of Able cried to G-d from the ground (Genesis 4:10), so too do all who's blood was received by the hand of another. As Satan wandered to and fro, up and down the earth in the days of Job (Job 1:7); such is the curse of Cain. They are fugitives and wanderers on the earth. (Genesis 4:12)


    The love of the Father shown me through all of His Word that His bride will be taken away in the still of the night. He will come as a double blessing to us who have painted the door of our hearts with the blood of the Lamb, and He will keep us as a precious and priceless jewel forever more.

    Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit!

    Amen.


    Pastor Rich

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    1. Richard, you GOT TO listen to this video about Isaiah 26 if that's one of your favourite scriptures about pre-trib, such a wonderful and confirming teaching: https://youtu.be/wVnjbQuIStw (Last Days Awakening) Blessings to you! :-)

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    2. NOTE: I took a moment to look at Cain and see these pin-points,

      Cain went away from Eden and settled in the land of Nod ("נוד"). The number of the name of Nod is 4 + 6 + 50 = 60.

      Looking at Strong's Concordance for "60" and "4650" we see this,

      Strong's Hebrew 60
      ===========================
      ebel: mourning
      Original Word: אֵ֫בֶל
      Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
      Transliteration: ebel
      Phonetic Spelling: (ay'-bel)
      Short Definition: mourning

      Source: Biblehub.com


      Strong's Greek 60
      ===========================
      agoraios: pertaining to the marketplace, an agitator
      Original Word: ἀγοραῖος, ον
      Part of Speech: Adjective
      Transliteration: agoraios
      Phonetic Spelling: (ag-or-ah'-yos)
      Short Definition: a lounger in the market-place
      Definition: a lounger in the market-place, perhaps with the idea of agitator.

      Source: Biblehub.com



      Strong's Hebrew 4650
      ===========================
      mephits: scatterer, disperser
      Original Word: מֵפִיץ
      Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
      Transliteration: mephits
      Phonetic Spelling: (may-feets')
      Short Definition: club, scatterer, disperser

      Source: Biblehub.com


      Strong's Greek 4650
      ===========================
      skorpizó: to scatter
      Original Word: σκορπίζω
      Part of Speech: Verb
      Transliteration: skorpizó
      Phonetic Spelling: (skor-pid'-zo)
      Short Definition: I disperse
      Definition: I disperse, scatter abroad (as of sheep); I dissipate, waste; I distribute alms.

      Source: Biblehub.com


      That last definition really caught my attention, "σκορπίζω". skorpizó: to scatter...Phonetic Spelling: (skor-pid'-zo).

      Remind you of any other Greek verb?

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    3. The Is. 26 passage is one of my favorites. It's so tender. So *tender.* How in love I am with Him!!

      You wrote: "Just as the children of Israel hid behind blood stained doors painted by the strokes of hyssop; so to shall we be secure in the house of our LORD until the time of His fury has passed."

      I've been trying to find words for an article about how we are not meant to see the fury of the Lord. So far I've not been able to pull it together, probably because it is so deep, intense, and horrifying, while the fact that we are tenderly hidden away is so loving and intimate.

      If we were the innocent ones we were originally meant to be in Eden, not knowing good and evil, we would not be able to comprehend the fury of God. We would be shell-shocked and traumatized. It reminds me a bit of the movie John Wick. Note: I am NOT recommending this movie and regret that I watched it (four years ago) due to the level of violence. I may not have finished it; I can't remember. However, it's a standard hollywood revenge movie about a guy whose beloved family was killed so he takes vengeance on the killers. This may be an unfortunate comparison but when I think of the judgment to come my mind recalls this movie and the vengeance of a grieving man. We, the children of God, are not meant to see that. I'm tearing up thinking about it. Maybe the words will come and I'll be able to write what is in my heart. I'm sure I've not explained it well.

      As always, thank you for your wisdom and kind words!

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    4. ^^ So I'm remember the movie wrong; the revenge was not exactly for the reasons I described. So scratch some of that. But the point remains. :)

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    5. We have some interesting parallels in the place made for us in the Father's House. Christ has made for us a chamber in which we may call home.

      The children of Israel were called to seal themselves in the chamber which G-d gave them on that first Passover -- their Egyptian home. Upon that home was painted the blood of the Lamb. Thus a picture...a chamber and blood.

      G-d has created inside each of us, chambers which are painted with blood. It is known as the human heart. Was it not fashioned in the likeness of His own? Did the Word not come to us in the form He created being His own image? Thus the chamber painted with blood is an earthly reflection of the heart of G-d in Christ.

      Surely as we have seen the Son we have seen the Father.

      May our heavenly home be likened to the heart of the LORD?

      We were made, and called, to live in the chamber created for us in the place where He is. Our heavenly home hidden away as behind a curtain in the visible presence of the LORD G-D Almighty.

      My heart too longs for my Beloved! For me, my family and all of us.

      Blessings,


      PR

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  12. My favorite proofs of the pre-trib rapture? That two men have already been raptured: Enoch (prior to the flood and unseen... no one knew where he went, just that 'God took him') and Elijah (Seen leaving in a flying chariot by his Jewish disciple. There have been arguments that Elijah 'the Tishbite' was a Gentile. So this is a case of a Jewish man watching a Gentile man 'caught up into heaven.' The rapture in a nutshell. Further, this Jewish man takes up the mantle left behind by Elijah, which raises a dead man to life just from touching it...)

    Another is Methusalah passing away right before the flood... And Lot being physically pulled out of Sodom and Gamorrah right before their destruction. Noah kept safe in an Ark 'High upon the waters' (IE: Above them)

    The hints are there, throughout the old testament and the new. Even Jesus said that we should pray to 'escape all these things.' It makes it hard to live in this world when you expect to hear the trumpet any moment...

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    1. Yes, Kris! We have these incredible examples in Scripture and I am so glad you shared them. I haven't studied the idea of Elisha being a Gentile but I've heard it before, too, and it makes sense.

      Another one I absolutely love (might be my favorite) is Joseph, a Hebrew, who married a Gentile bride (Egyptian princess) before the 7-year-famine. After she is married, she is "hidden" in the palace and not seen or heard about again.

      You wrote: " It makes it hard to live in this world when you expect to hear the trumpet any moment..." Man, I hear you!! I know how you feel. Keep holding fast. You were born for such a time as this and God has not forgotten you. You could have been born at any time during the history of the world, yet here you are, living and breathing at the end of the age. WOW. I get chills thinking about it.

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    2. Dear Kris and Hillary, you will get a more detailed picture even if looking at the book of Enoch describing his divers 'transportations' on earth and into heavenly realms like in Acts 8:39 and also the last one when he was finally taken up into Heaven and HE KNEW 1 YEAR BEFORE! Also about Josephs wife Asenath there are more details in the book of Jasher which is another important read to get the full picture. Blessings to you!

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  13. I saw this in another post.

    https://apreachaskid.wordpress.com/2017/09/25/the-year-5778-a-year-of-the-open-door/

    The last number of the Hebrew year 5778 is 8. The 8th letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Chet and has a numerical value of 8. The Bible numerology of number eight in the Bible signifies resurrection and regeneration. It is the number of a new beginning. The letter Chet can be seen as representing an open dooway, hence the Year of the Open Door. It can be seen to resemble a doorway where the blood of the lamb was daubed during the first passover, as well Jesus being the only doorway through which one must pass through to inherit eternal life. It is said that the year 5778 was a year of grace. The Hebrew word for grace is Chen whose first letter is a Chet, and until the door is finally closed there is still access to the throne of grace. The number 9 however signifies completion, finality and judgement.
    ___

    I find it interesting that 5778 is a year of the open door. Someone else said 5779 is the year of the closed door.

    It immediately brought to mind the letters to the church of Philadelphia and Laodicea.

    And also the thought about the 5 unwise Virgin's who knocked on the closed door between them and the 5 wise who went in.

    And in Isaiah 26 we see those that enter their chambers are told to close their doors behind them. :o Wow!
    ___

    The OPEN Door:

    (to the church of Philadelphia)

    Revelation 3:7-11

    To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

    These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.

    WHAT HE OPENS, no one will shut; and WHAT HE SHUTS, no one will open.

    I know your deeds. SEE, I HAVE PLACED BEFORE YOU AN OPEN DOOR, which no one can shut.

    For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.

    Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead.

    I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.

    Because you have kept My command to endure with patience, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

    I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
    ___

    And if 5779 represents the "Closed Door", it is even more substantial that the letter to the church of Laodicea has this said to it.

    Notice how God still loves them, and is now disciplining them, and is knocking still from the other side of the closed door.

    They are included it seems in the Wedding supper, but not the Wedding itself... which would then mean the two events are separated by an amount of time, which also explains those under the Altar asking how long oh Lord. All are saints by the end of the Tribulation, but different promises are given to the different groups.

    This confirms for me that both of these churches are in existence at the time of the rapture. They are the 5 wise and 5 foolish Virgins of which the Door closes behind the 5 wise who enter, and of which the 5 foolish knock and cry to be let in.

    Stunning! That 5778 and 5779 could be the transition!

    Maranatha! <3
    ___

    The CLOSED door:

    Revelation 3:19-20

    (to the church of Laodicea)

    Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

    Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
    _

    Isaiah 26:19-21

    Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew [is as] the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.

    Come, my people, enter into your rooms And CLOSE YOUR DOORS behind you; Hide for a little while Until indignation runs [its] course.

    For behold, the LORD is about to come out from His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; And the earth will reveal her bloodshed And will no longer cover her slain.

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    1. This is powerful, Jack! O Lord, come!!!

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    2. Laodicea... The church run by Lay people. (Laymen + Diocese)

      And yet:

      Rev 3:19-20

      Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

      Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
      ___

      There is faith here, but there is also action on the part of the believer as in works. The door has been closed already, and one must endure in faith and works until their end or the end of the Tribulation.

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  14. Does Ecclesiastes 12 give any clues about the rapture?:

    1 Remember your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
    BEFORE THE DAYS OF TROUBLE COME
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—
    2
    before the sun and the light
    and the moon and the stars grow dark,
    and the clouds return after the rain;

    Has Ecclesiastes 12 already been discussed? I think there might be a lot there...

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    1. Sure sounds like it! Thanks, Miguel! Will think on this for sure!

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    2. I have always considered Solomons Ecclesiastes as "traditional" wisdom literature but not prophetic. If you want to dig deeper in some of it, I can recommend www.bible.org to you, it's a great website and biblically sound altogether.

      https://bible.org/seriespage/ecclesiastes-12

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  15. Wonderfully done, Hillary. Way to go!

    My three things:

    1. The Church is absolutely, unequivocally promised HEAVEN, not just reigning on the earth. There is virtually no room for this in the pre-wrath / post-trib views.

    2. The purpose of D70 is explicitly for Israel's salvation. There is clearly a gap between the 69th and 70th week as premillennialists/literalists would agree. That gap is for the Church.

    3. The Church is clearly promised escape from the hour of trial / escape BEFORE labor pains. The labor pains in Matthew 24 include the general things leading up to mid-trib events.

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    1. Amen, brother! I thank God for His wisdom and mercy. Reading your list makes me want to weep with gratitude for His grace and kindness. As I wrote in my article, there was no room for the gospel of grace (faith alone) in my post-trib view, so understanding the truth literally feels like a resurrection of my spirit. I'm humbled everyday by His faithfulness and love that is beyond all human comprehension. And I'm grateful to be here at the end of the age, watching with you and all of the saints. God bless you!

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    2. As to your #1... :)

      We are His and are with Him forever... Wherever that is... be it in the throne room before the Millennium while He sits at the Right hand of the Father, or for 1000 years in Jerusalem where He will sit on His throne there in Jerusalem, or afterwards when all things are made new.

      :)

      Agree also on #2 and #3. For three I hold dearly to the promise made to the Church of Philadelphia! ;)

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  16. I wish there was a like button or something here... :D

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    1. Yes, agreed! I'm reading through all the comments and am like "YUP! WOW!" to each one. (:

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  17. The pre-tribulation rapture is sprinkled throughout the Old Testament as well ... such is a clear description found in the book of Zephaniah.
    https://endtimesdarknessdescending.wordpress.com/2018/09/07/zephaniahs-pre-tribulation-rapture/

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  18. I am pre-trib. My problem with this article is with something far more important than that. My problem is that this article teaches that the gospel changes. That it becomes faith plus works during the Tribulation. This is an affront to the Cross of Christ. The Law never saved, even when it was in effect from Moses to Christ. It only ever condemned. We are told in Hebrews that it was faith that saved the OT Saints. It is the same now as it was then. And it will ever be so. Because it is an EVERLASTING Gospel. They looked forward to Christ. We look back. Nothing changes during the Tribulation. You said that you once looked forward to suffering and being martyred and now look at this as self-righteousness and vanity. Do you think it is any more acceptable for those that live during the Tribulation who would add their own works? Do you think by living the most holy lives punctuated by the most noble deaths that they can add one smidgeon of self-righteousness to the completed work of Christ on the Cross? Using this idea, how many works are enough for Tribulation Saints? Can they ever know? Do they just have to do their best and hope for the best? Do you know how much is enough? If you could talk into the future to a Tribulation Saint, exactly how many good works would Hillary say is enough to add to what Jesus did and it be sufficient to save them? What if they mess up? If we're going to add works, what exactly is expected? If it is perfection, as it must be, then who could be saved? No one. No one can now, and no one will be able to do it, then. Not ever. I know that many people teach this doctrine. Even as you think about what believing this doctrine says about the finished work of Jesus, does it not well up within your soul as the Holy Spirit screams at full volume "Jesus is enough! He's always going to be enough! Christ and Christ alone saves! Believe this Gospel. It is good news that will never change. An everlasting gospel." This doctrine is an epidemic among those of us who understand that God is progressively revealing Himself to mankind through dispensations. But these dispensations are cumulative. The glory of God increases. The understanding of His love and grace and mercy and holiness increases. The goodness of God is made more manifest. Never less. You are teaching that all of a sudden the Gospel of Jesus Christ becomes grace PLUS works. That's not what the verses from Revelation you cite to say! I say to you what Paul said. It has only ever been grace received through faith. It never changes. It is the everlasting Gospel. And anyone that teaches that the Gospel changes is teaching something that is accursed. It should be condemned in the strongest possible words. And a final point, God saved Israel so they could share Him with the Gentiles. The Gentiles aren't an afterthought. It isn't "aren't we lucky the Jews didn't believe or we'd be damned." NO NO NO. God saved Abraham because he had faith in God. Faith enough to be willing to do to his son Isaac what God would have to actually do to His Son, Jesus. Israel is central to the redemptive plan of God. But Jesus died for us all equally. God loves us all equally. God is no respecter of persons. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. And it will always be so.

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    1. I appreciate what you're saying, Nik K. As I stated in the article, I believed that my suffering made me more holy. So it was a heart of self-righteousness and pride, looking to myself rather than resting in the work of Jesus.

      Would you be willing to watch a sermon that directly addresses your concerns? He explains from Scripture what I awkwardly tried to do: Faith Alone in Every Dispensation?


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    2. If a person in the tribulation had faith in Jesus, and took the mark of the beast, would they be saved?

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    3. If I can add my two cents: I have a slightly different thought on this than Jack Kelley, but I haven't taught on it before. I greatly respect his thoughts, but I also believe salvation has only ever and can only ever be sola fide. Paul makes this clear, including in regard to the previous dispensations. I agree that salvation cannot revert from grace to works or from grace to grace+works during the Trib and/or Millennium.

      HOWEVER, Scripture also teaches clear distinctions within the diverse body of the elect. There are Old Testament saints, the Church, Trib Saints, Israel, etc.

      The Church is by far the most privileged having obtained the first part post-Christ in the first resurrection.

      Also, and here's a key point: the Church has assurance of salvation via the sealing/baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is a deposit guaranteeing are resurrection. In the Old Testament we consistently see the Holy Spirit resting on someone and then departing. He doesn't INDWELL until Pentecost 32 or 33 AD.

      After the Restrainer is removed I foresee a similar situation in the Trib. This assurance of salvation / indwelling of the Spirit distinction helps us to account for seeming differences between salvation in previous dispensations with the current. So I'm not quite on board with Breaker on his division of Scripture. I tend to divide these two views between "dispensationalism" and "hyper-dispensationalism."

      About works in the Trib and the M.o.t.B., it is very, very clear that taking the Mark makes one irredeemable. It's once and done just like today genuine belief and the baptism of the Holy Spirit is once and done. Somehow that has to be reconciled with sola fide.

      I offer my explanation here, but I've seen other explanations, as well. In short, whatever the mechanism, no one with the M.o.t.B will return with faith to God.

      About other works: it seems like there is a clear absence of mention of any other works to be performed by Trib Saints in Revelation besides not taking the Mark. Thus for someone in the Tribulation, belief in Christ + not taking the Mark = salvation.

      There is a general charge of keeping the commandments (Rev. 14:12), but the author of Revelation makes a similar charge to the Church, using the exact same word, in his gospel (Jn. 14:15; 14:21; 15:10) and epistles (1 Jn. 2:3-4; 3:22), which we would not interpret as something negating sola fide.

      Again, just my 2 cents. I also respect Robert Breaker and his view.

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    4. If God is all powerful, can he create a boulder so big that even He cannot lift it? There are some questions we may ask that are just nonsense. If my answer to the preceding question is yes, then I'm accused of limiting the power of God. If I say no, then I'm accused of limiting the power of God. There's no answer, because the question is nonsense. If a person in the tribulation had faith in Jesus and took the mark of the beast, would he be saved? If I say yes, then I'd be accused of saying an enduring faith is not necessary. If I say no, then I'd be accused of saying that genuine faith is not necessary. Because this question is also based in utter nonsense. A genuine, enduring faith, the only kind of faith which can lead to salvation in the first place, also ensures that the mark would never be accepted. As in the boulder example, one precludes the other. Because it is the question itself that is defective. Not the Everlasting Gospel.

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    5. I don't think it IS faith alone during the Tribulation. I think of Abraham before even the Mosaic law and such. He was accounted righteousness because of his faith, but he also did works, such as tithing, sacrifice, etc. All of it shadows that pointed to Christ. He was a Gentile by the way too.

      So... At the Rapture, the Age of Grace is over, as is the times of the Gentiles, and taking the Mark means that you have chosen, or relented, to the Beast instead of God.

      There's no coming back from that, in many ways.

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    6. Respectfully, Nik, the answer to my question is clear in Scripture.

      Q: If a person in the tribulation had faith in Jesus, and took the mark of the beast, would they be saved?

      A: No. Rev. 14:9-11 says,

      "Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

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    7. Based on your response, I'm left with no other conclusion to make but that you did not have any desire to understand my post. A saved person would never take the mark of the beast because in order to be saved in the first place he must have an enduring, genuine faith that would never take the mark of the beast. For that reason, the entire premise of your question is just nonsense.

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    8. Can a person who has actually been born again accept the mark of the beast. My answer: No. Accepting it would prove he had never been born again in the first place. Hillary's: Yes. And then the saved person becomes lost again.

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    9. In a way this question goes back to us today. How do you *know* any given individual is *really* saved? We don't *know* the state of the heart of another; we can only listen for what the Spirit says or seek evidence of righteousness,

      7 Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. (1 John 3:7 ESV)

      "Can a person who has actually been born again accept the mark of the beast?"

      What are we teaching in our churches? What do we say in our small groups. For what do we hope and for Whom do we strive? Are we, as leaders, raising up a generation of mature Christians?

      In the extreme case of a believer during the Tribulation, I think we are ill equipped to approach the question. We can barely scratch the surface of what it will be like in those days. Perhaps we may compare it to Daesh forcing Christians to convert to Islam or face death?

      It may be that it requires times like that to truly test our faith. Such conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. For our part, such faith requires that we raise up mature disciples from time of their confession of faith and baptism such that we reinforce simple truths in our hearts,

      21 For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 ESV)

      28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 ESV)


      Christ is my judge and I throw myself on the mercy of His grace. I know in my own heart that my door has been painted. Through His grace and tender mercies, He has shown Himself in my life and the life of my family time and time again. I have every reason to believe that in that Day I will hear a good report; but if I do it was not by any work of mine. If counted by my own account, I am nothing more than a filthy menstrual rag. Well seasoned firewood. It is all by the blood of the Lamb and Christ's full and final propitiation that I will live.

      I know Who it is that saved me. For Him I would die for to die is gain. I know that and believe that with every fibre of my being. To Him be all the glory.

      Guard our hearts we must. Encouraging each other as we see the coming Day?

      Requisite!

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    10. Dear Nick, I have no problem at all to believe in faith + works during tribulation period. In fact the ONLY dispensation of "faith ALONE" (w/o works) is/was church age, if you think about it. I also recommend the teachings of Robert Breaker on this topic, he's done several good ones recently because he was confronted with this specific question.

      And YES it would be possible to take the mark or deny Christ even if sealed by an angel because the same happens when a born again child of God is tempted to fall into sin today. Can a Christian lie, steal, fornicate? YES of course! Such is with taking the mark during that time. But it is absolutely VITAL to NOT do it and not getting tempted (remember you cannot buy any food or sell your work force to earn money to survive with your family during those days, this is a very strong temptation!) because you won't be able to be restored by grace this time (1 John 1:8-9 is not working). That's what "not taking the mark" qualifies as WORK in addition to your faith. You have to lay down your life in order to keep this commandment. That's another thing than dying as a church age martyr as this time it is directly tied to your redemption. Is this understandable to you how it differs from "faith alone"? Blessings to you!

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    11. There is yet other wrinkles in this question... What if the mark is taken in ignorance of what it is? We've been warning against this mark for so long that the enemy might obfuscate (hide) what it is... And what if it's given against a person's will? Does it still count if the person receives it and then rips it out later when no one is looking? Or uses a 'counterfeit' mark to fool whatever system is in place to scan it?

      I know a lot of people look at the microchip as the ultimate form of the mark, but as a programmer, I realize that it's the most insecure method ever come up with for tracking anything or anybody... Especially if it transmits a signal. Identity theft will run rampant as all they need to do is get near enough to you to receive (and copy) your signal. Barcodes have the same problem... they can be copied.

      No... I believe this mark is not going to be something physical at all... I think it's going to be either a belief or an action (in the forehead, or in the right hand). I note that believers are sealed in their foreheads, not their hands (Faith, not works).

      I also note with some interest that for their tax exempt status, Churches in the USA have to file as a 1023 - 501 - C3... Each part adding up to 6... (1+0+2+3 = 6 / 5+0+1 = 6 / C(3rd letter) + 3 = 6 / 6-6-6) No one could 'buy or sell' without the number... In the parable of the foolish and wise virgins... The foolish were told to 'go to those that sell and buy' oil for their lamps... Churches in other countries have similar requirements, or they have to hide from the authorities altogether.

      Could the ultimate fulfillment of this warning be that every person has to register their faith and Christianity gets outlawed again? (Possibly on pain of death?) 'If you deny me before others...'

      Sobering thought that we may not recognize the mark before it's too late... Is this why Jesus suggested cutting off your hand if it offended thee? Is this why people are losing their heads? And if the enemy knows that decapitation sends believers straight to heaven, wouldn't he use some other method to kill?

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    12. Concerning people taking the mark of the beast in ignorance or being tricked into it, revelation 13:16 in the King James version uses the word in the right hand or in the forehead while the majority of the newer translations changed the word in to on the right hand or on the forehead. For some reason whenever I have brought this up nobody puts any stock in it like this change is not important at all

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    13. Multiple of you keep citing Mr. Breaker at me. I've been exposed to his particular errors before, and that's why as soon as his name came up, I said to myself, "ah, it makes sense now how they wound up so askew." You citing him is just sad proof of how you wound up in this pitiable doctrinal state. He's got a lot to answer for and it's sad. Salvation has always been by God's grace. It has never changed. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not change. That's why it's called eternal and everlasting. So you all keep teaching the Gospel changes. I'll keep banging on my grace drum and pointing out than in every era salvation has been entirely the work of God, and nothing of man except simply consenting to God's salvation through simple faith.

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    14. Nick, OK I do not agree with everything Robert Breaker teaches but one thing I know for sure: he's my brother in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit and THIS teaching of his about the tribulation gospel and the mark of the beast is correct all the way. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

      Hillary, yes you're correct it's about the BLOOD for a reason. If the blood is contaminated, that's where the problem is.

      Kris, the mark will and must be physical whereas the other 2 named possibilities in Rev13:17 are not (name, number of name). It's about the BLOOD and altered DNA that's the pivotal point. Check this out, excellent information:

      https://youtu.be/b-eMBlQSIAs
      (Researchers claim Giants DNA has been found being used to create super human race / The WTF Files 9/3/18)

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    15. Kris, just in addition to the above: believers during the tribulation WILL know what the mark is; either some obligatory vaccination or some tattoo (the Greek word for it is used for "branding" also) in any case it will be tied to blood circulation (which is not able to be faked or hacked like a computer program nor being able to restored if once contaminated in an individual). The angel of Rev14 will preach his message at a time when EVERYONE on earth will exactly KNOW what the "mark of the beast" will be as it will be obligatory to buy and sell anything to survive in the physical. Blessings to you!

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    16. I have to agree that the work of Jesus is complete and believing on Him is all that is required. Having said that there is a great deal more to the Mark of the Beast than most of us are aware of or have taken the time to study. Nicholson1968 goes down the rabbit hole on the enemy's communication techniques, methods, and plans, and if you want to see the future and how awful it is going to be this is where you should look. The mark of the beast is going to change the DNA of anyone who takes it. God made man in His own image, male and female He created them, and to them he offered the gift of righteousness. When you are no longer the image of God you are no longer eligible for the gift. In reference to Abraham it has always helped me to think of faith as a verb rather than a noun, faith requires action. Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto him as righteousness but how do we know that he believed God? Because he picked up his family and moved to the place that God would show him. Likewise our faith requires action, we must "confess with our mouths" and God, knowing our hearts accounts that to us as righteousness. Yes there are those who confess but do not believe but man cannot lie to God. In the tribulation that action will be to refuse the mark of the beast and accept what that brings. Obviously it would be better to follow Christ now but not everyone will. This is just my understanding, I hope it helps. Maranatha.

      https://www.nicholson1968.com/home-page.html

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    17. Hillary, well stated! :-) If anyone is (still?) interested in Robert Breakers teachings, he just newly released another one specific on the "Mark of the Beast"... https://youtu.be/N4su0rYu1h8

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  19. Awesome clarity,Hillary. Thanks for sharing this as I too was in the post-trib camp up until about 5 years ago when I started really searching this out. Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Kevin! Would you share how the Lord brought you to the understanding of the pre-trib position? Any particular Scriptures He used? I'm so happy to hear this!

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    2. I was also a mid-trib believer a year-and-a-half ago, that's when I discovered Scotty Clark's video actually is two part Revelation 12 videos and the scriptures just came alive in a new way. For me, it was understanding the Revelation 12 sign that was the key.

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  20. So well written and edifying. Thanks my blessed sister. Michael McCracken

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    1. You are a blessing, Mike. Thank you and God bless!

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  21. I love everyone at unsealed.org so much! God bless you all beyond measure for your articles (and books)! I can't wait to meet you in person someday (hopefully very soon) and thank you!!!

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    1. Hopefully that is very soon! May the Lord bless you today and always!

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  22. "If you hold a pre-wrath or post-trib view, what passage of Scripture anchors you in this belief and keeps you from embracing the pre-trib teaching?"

    I might the only one here answering this question, but I know that is okay.

    Of course just like most/all of pretribbers, I feel like I have many reasons and scriptures I use to justify and hold on to a prewrath view. I wish I was able to list them all and answer all your questions you asked I this article, but I realize that this is not really the appropriate venue for all of that.

    But I guess if I had to limit it to just one passage, it would be the one found in the middle of the book of Revelation.

    Revelation 11:15-19, "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
    “The kingdom of the world has become
    the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
    and he will reign for ever and ever.”
    And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:
    “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    the One who is and who was,
    because you have taken your great power
    and have begun to reign.
    The nations were angry,
    and your wrath has come.
    The time has come for judging the dead,
    and for rewarding your servants the prophets
    and your people who revere your name,
    both great and small—
    and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
    19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

    To me, this passage speaks volumes of the timing of so many things. We know from Rev 10:7 that the mystery of God will be accomplished when the 7th trumpet sounds and then we read why in Rev 11. When the 7th last trumpet is sounded, THEN the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ...God is given thanks for taking His great power and BEGINNING to reign...the nations were angry but now here comes his wrath (aka Day of the Lord)....and the time has now come to judge and REWARD the servants, prophets, AND saints.

    All this happens when the 7th LAST trumpet is blown because the rapture/resurrection just happened.

    After this the temple in heaven is open. In Rev 15:5-6, we read why it was opened because out of this temple come the 7 last angels with the 7 bowls of God's WRATH. Only the bowls are God's wrath and the wrath is directed at only the wicked and unrighteous and who are not raptured. The sudden destruction comes upon them...people who thought they were victorious over the saints but who instead were caught off guard by the thief in the night. Rev 15:2 tells us that it is the martyred saints who were in fact victorious over the beast. Satan will never win.

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    1. Thank you for sharing, Tracy. I always appreciate your thoughtful and measured replies and kindness toward those with whom you disagree. This is a powerful and cherished quality for the body of Christ to have & I am always blessed by you!

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    2. Tracy, have you ever thought of the possibility how the 7th trumpet announces the END of SATANS reign on earth when God says "enough is enough" and the already present church in heaven will come down to earth with Jesus Christ at Armageddon Revelation 19 when He will "bruise Satan under our feet"? Romans 16:20

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    3. Hillary - thank you for your kind reply and for not only permitting but for also promoting friendly discussion among people who hold differing opinions about these end time topics. I know I have a minority opinion here so thank you for what you said.

      Annabel - Yes! I completely agree and believe what you said. However, where we differ is in the amount of time Christians will be in heaven at the sounding of the 7th trumpet.

      I believe the 7th trumpet corresponds to the resurrection/rapture for several reasons:

      -As you know the Day of the Lord follows the R/R as indicated in 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5. In Revelation 11:18 it says "your wrath has come" and "the time has come...for destroying those who destroy the earth." This happens after the 7th trumpet. IMO that verse points to the start of the Day of the Lord which would mean the R/R just happened. There are ample of bible passages that talk about Jesus fighting against the nations with wrath and destroying people on the Day of the Lord just like it is stated in verse 11:18.

      -Revelation 11:17 says that the "Lord God Almighty" has begun to reign after the 7th trumpet. Then in Revelation 19:6-7, it says the "Lord God Almighty" is reigning. So the events in chapter 19 happen after the events in chapter 11. So all the references to the wedding and wedding supper come after he starts reigning which happens after the 7th trumpet. A wedding and feast can't happen until the believers/Christians (bride) arrive in heaven and the Lord God Almighty reigns.

      -At the sounding of the 7th trumpet, the time has come for rewarding. The rewarding is only now happening at the sounding of the 7th trumpet. We know from many bible passages that Jesus brings his rewards with him when he comes on the day he resurrects/raptures believers. See Revelation 22:12, Luke 14:12-14, 1 Corinthians 4:5, and 2 Timothy 4:8. Therefore, if Jesus is just now rewarding his servants, prophets, and SAINTS (probably a reference to trib saints) at the 7th trumpet, then the resurrection/rapture must have just happened.

      -Finally, we know from Paul that the R/R happens at the last trumpet. I am not denying that this could also point to a feast day, but when you put the other pieces together it may also point to the 7th last trumpet in Revelation.

      God bless

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    4. Tracy, I have a few questions that I am interested in hearing how your view explains from Scripture, if you have the time.

      We know from Rev. 11:14-15 that the seventh trumpet sounds after the 2nd woe. Prior to this, the 2 witnesses have fulfilled their 1260-day ministry, + the 3.5 days of lying dead, + their resurrection. Prior to that, a third of mankind was killed by the plagues from the 200-million-man army (Rev. 9:15-21).

      Scripture does not say directly, but implies, that these plagues were specifically designed to punish the wicked and bring them to repentance (Rev. 9:20).

      Prior to this, in the first woe at the 5th trumpet, the locusts from the bottomless pit are given authority to torment, for 5 months, everyone who does not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (Rev. 9:4-5) The only ones who have this seal are the 144k (Rev. 7:3-4). This clearly means that anyone without the seal, including born again Christians, would be tormented by the locusts.

      Likewise, the angels sent plagues / did harm to the earth and cosmos in trumpets 1-4, which obviously would affect mankind, and were restrained from doing so until the 144k were sealed. But instructions were not given to protect born again believers.

      So my questions are, in your view, why are the 144k protected from these things, but born-again believers (for clarity, I'm talking about those in the age of the Church who are saved by grace through faith according to the gospel given by Jesus to Paul) are not?

      Since the 144k are protected via the seal on their forehead, we can surmise that these judgments are specifically for punishing sinners who worship demons, idols, etc. (Rev. 9:20-21). So why would Christians, who do not have this seal, or worship demons, etc., be subjected to these plagues?

      Why does God need the 2 witnesses to testify if the earth is full of born again believers? Rev. 11:10 says that the two prophets torment those who dwell on the earth, and does not specify an exemption. Do they torment Christians? Do the Christians rejoice over them when they are dead? (Rev. 11:0-10)

      It is clear why the beast / devil / dragon would kill and persecute Christians in the tribulation. But all of the trumpet judgments and plagues are sent by God. If born-again believers from the age of grace were included in this time, why would God do this to the body? Especially when we have stories like the story of Lot, when the angel said "Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there." (Gen.19:22) After Lot escaped, fire and brimstone rained down on the cities, much like the hail, fire and blood are thrown to the earth during the first trumpet (Rev. 8:7).

      Thank you for considering these questions and I look forward to understanding more clearly the post-trib position on these.

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    5. Hi Hillary – Thank you for asking questions and for taking some time to consider another person’s viewpoint. While I consider myself prewrath/post-trib, I actually have no clue as to whether I meet the official definition of what those positions ultimately claim. But, I can try to answer your questions from what my own studies, fellowship with others, and prayer time with God has revealed. I am still learning all the time, and I still have so much to learn, so in no way do I think I have all the answers. You are also asking me to give my opinion, which you know may open up a whole can of worms (Isaiah 55:8-9, 2 Peter 1:20-21), so I will do my best to back up what I say with scripture.

      A lot of your questions seem to be related to why God is pouring judgment on born-again Christians during the tribulation. IMO, I don’t think He is. However, I do think God is permitting certain things to happen in order to fulfill all that has been written and decreed to occur (Daniel 9:27, Ezekiel 38:17-18). It is kind of like how he permits evil things and natural disasters to happen in the world today. While God is still sovereign, Satan is currently the ruler of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4, John 12:31). But in due time, God will rightfully take it back (Daniel 7:13-14) and all His people will be delivered (Daniel 12:1).

      During the time of Daniel’s 70th week it appears as though Satan is getting his ultimate chance to see if he can defeat God and His people and make himself out to be like the Most High (Isaiah 13:13-15). It’s not much of a challenge or “hour of trial” if the only ones left on earth at his arrival are unbelievers, the sealed 144K, and protected 2 witnesses. Instead, God is allowing the rise of the AC when the restrainer is removed (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7) and is even permitting the saints to be “handed over” for 42 months in order for this to all play out according to His will. In Daniel 11:33 it says, “Those who are wise will instruct many though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.” The wise are being hurt by the AC and his system, not by God. Then in Daniel 11:35, “Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.” So here we see that God has a purpose for the tribulation and part of that purpose involves purifying those who know their God. But this time period also has other purposes such as saving all Israel (Romans 11:26), testing those who live on the earth (Revelation 3:10), and saving anyone who calls on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21).

      I believe the true judgment and God’s wrath (Revelation 16:1) happens AFTER the resurrection/rapture of all those who belong to Him. The bowls of wrath are only for those who are wicked and unrighteous (Revelation 16:5-7). These people have now seen Jesus at his 2nd coming; they know that the true God exists (they curse God’s name) and they still refuse to repent and glorify Him (Revelation 16:9). We are also told directly that God has control over these bowl plagues (Revelation 16:9) but to my knowledge I have never read that about the seals and trumpets. Jesus may open the seals and the angels may blow the trumpets, but there are times when the horrible results of those things are related to the actions of AC and not God (e.g., the 4th and 5th seal).

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    6. As we both know, the day of the Lord happens immediately AFTER the R/R and Christians will no longer be on the earth but instead will be in heaven with our new glorified bodies when the day of the Lord happens. We are not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). A prewrath/post-trib interpretation, doesn’t change this interpretation. We are not looking towards the day of the Lord because that term in essence only refers to the period of God’s wrath. We are looking forward to Jesus’ appearing which must come first. We will receive salvation and our glorified bodies before sudden destruction is poured out; and because we are sons of the light and sons of the day, those who are alive and remain at Jesus’s 2nd coming will not be taken off guard like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:5).

      My interpretation of the 5th and 6th trumpets is that those things are being led by the AC and people who follow him. Those plagues and calamities are primarily coming from the actions of the AC. Currently there is only 33% of the population who are “Christian” and that number will most likely decrease when the AC is here since we know there is a great falling away before he arrives. The AC will try to control the world by proclaiming to be God and implementing the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16-17). While God may choose to have the 144K protected during specific time periods for certain purposes, there will be others (believers and nonbelievers) who face the consequences of tribulation and Satan’s wrath. Jesus said believers and nonbelievers will grow together until the end (Matthew 13:28-30) and that it rains on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 4:45). But again, Jesus has a purpose for that that perhaps we don’t fully understand. But it is also why I believe God has warned us so many times about these last days in the bible. He loves us and wants us to be prepared for what is coming. But as you know we actually have nothing to fear since the saints who face the beast will be ultimately be victorious over him (Revelation 15:2) and those who know God and have faith will be saved.

      You also asked about the 2 witnesses. I believe they come on scene during the great tribulation (the last 3.5 years). In Revelation 11, we read that they prophesy in Jerusalem. Since the AC will be ruling from there, this will not be a safe place for Christians or Jews. They won’t be allowed to preach there. Therefore God is using 2 witnesses that cannot be touched to preach and herald the forthcoming events from the midst of the darkest place on earth…a place that also happens to be God’s beloved land.

      So while Daniel’s 70th week seems horrible, in the end it is to fulfill the purposes which were set up from the beginning of time. Jesus paid the price on the cross for us already, but there are still events that are unfolding before our complete salvation comes (Hebrews 9:28) and we possess the kingdom (Daniel 7:27). There is really nothing to fear as in the end we know who wins, and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

      Thank you for allowing me a chance to have voice on this platform. I know it is not a voice aligned with most here in regards to prophesy, but please know it is voice of someone who loves the Lord with all her heart, mind, and soul and whose intentions are good.

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    7. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
      II Timothy 4:8 NKJV

      Tracy are you truly loving his appearing?

      Also, you speak about the Saints during tribulation and you are clearly referring to the Saints as being Christians saved during the age of Grace. Revelation makes it very clear and people will be saved after the Rapture. They are the tribulation Saints that Satan makes war against and overcomes. Jesus said in this world you will have trouble (tribulation) but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

      Scripture does not contradicting itself, if it did then the word of God rate would return void, and God would be made out to be a liar therefore also a sinner and Jesus sacrifice would have been worthless and we would have no hope. One more point we are the light of the world. It's light that holds back (restrains) the darkness. The church is the restrainer and therefore the Antichrist cannot be revealed until the restrainer is taken out of the way. According to Daniel 9:27 it's the Antichrist that confirms the Covenant with many which starts Daniel's 70th week, a week of years 7 years. If we are the light of the world and we restrain the darkness we cannot be here we are taken out before Daniel's 70th week begins.

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    8. More voice typing errors

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    9. Isaiah – You asked if I am truly loving Jesus' appearing. Absolutely! I am not sure what I said that gave you the impression that I am not. But loving his appearing and eagerly awaiting it doesn’t mean that I can speed up the appointed time which has been set for his return.

      Since I have a prewrath/posttrib perspective of end times, in my comments above I am referring to the saints as born-again Christians who are saved through grace. I believe many of the Christians who are on earth at the time of the AC are/will become the “saints” who are referred to in Daniel and Revelation.

      Yes, Jesus has overcome the world and that is why we are of good cheer and are comforted by the fact that he will appear to fulfill all that is written. This is despite the differing levels of daily tribulation and individual crosses we bear. Regardless of the trials we have experienced or the tribulations that are still yet to come, we will receive salvation and all God’s promises when we choose to accept Jesus as our Savior and believe in him.

      During the great tribulation, the AC will be very strong and very successful (Daniel 8:24). He is allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them (Revelation 13:7) and he will actually do so to a point. But God cuts those days short for the sake of the elect and some flesh will be saved (Matthew 24: 22). In Daniel 7:21-22, it says the AC is defeating them UNTIL the Ancient of Days came and pronounces judgment in favor of the saints. Satan does not ultimately win. He may succeed at certain battles but he doesn’t win the war (Daniel 9:27; Revelation 15:2, Revelation 19:20).

      I understand that there is a belief that claims the “church” is the restrainer. The text does not directly state that and I do not hold on to that belief. Yes, we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). We are also the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:14). Is our light to be snuffed out during the darkest period of the history of the world? Is our saltiness not expected to preserve the message of the gospel when the AC’s mission is to pervert and destroy it?

      Oftentimes I read that people who hold to the pretrib doctrine argue that God would never let his children (or bride) go through such great tribulation. I can appreciate where this belief is coming from as I am a parent too and I feel the extreme love that God has for us. However, may I ask, doesn’t this present a double standard? Doesn’t God also love his children who are the so-called “tribulation saints?” The names of these tribulation saints have been written in the book of life and belong to the Lamb (Revelation 13:8) and everyone’s whose names is written in the book of life will be delivered (Daniel 12:1). These tribulation saints are described as people who are wise, they know their God, they instruct others, hold to the testimony of Jesus, obey God’s commandments and His word, resist the beast, and do not worship him (Daniel 11:32-33, Revelation 12:17, Revelation 20:4). Furthermore we are told directly that they are given the kingdom (Daniel 7:27), will be priests of God, and will reign with Jesus 1000 years (Revelation 20:6). While I understand that God has favor among some and has chosen prophets and kings for His own sovereign reasons (Exodus 33:17, 1 Samuel 2:26, Daniel 10:11), why would God put so many of his children, a “great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,” (Revelation 7:9; 14) through the great tribulation but not the “church?” As you know, my belief is that He doesn’t actually make this distinction or divide his body in that way since I believe that the resurrection/rapture occurs after the AC has been revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

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    10. Hi Tracy, thank you for responding. Respectfully and with love & a sisterly hug, I disagree more than ever but I appreciate you sharing your position. I think what grieves my spirit most about the post-trib or post-most-trib view is that it dismisses so many of the precious revelations of God that He has given of Himself in Scripture.

      “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’" Matt. 25:24-25

      One of the points of this parable is to show how the man misjudged the nature and character of God and acted according to his false belief about God. God has repeatedly shown Himself to be a God of mercy, grace, and kindness. Not only throughout history, but the repeated chances for repentance during Daniel's 70th week also reveal this. Just like Israel rejected Jesus when He came the first time, those who enter D70 rejected Christ during the age of the Church. And yet up until the very end God offers the chance for salvation. It makes me weep so often thinking about how good our Father is.

      You wrote, "Oftentimes I read that people who hold to the pretrib doctrine argue that God would never let his children (or bride) go through such great tribulation. I can appreciate where this belief is coming from as I am a parent too and I feel the extreme love that God has for us. However, may I ask, doesn’t this present a double standard? Doesn’t God also love his children who are the so-called “tribulation saints?”"

      God definitely loves the tribulation saints.
      God also loves the tribulation sinners.
      God also loved us while we were yet sinners.

      So I do not see this as a double standard. Those who become saints during Daniel's 70th week are those who rejected Christ while the door to the ark was open. The book of Revelation is not new and God will not be mocked. However, His mercy in continuing to offer salvation and opportunities to repent during this time reflect the truth that He is not willing that any should perish but have everlasting life.

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    11. (...con't)

      You wrote, "I understand that there is a belief that claims the “church” is the restrainer. The text does not directly state that and I do not hold on to that belief. Yes, we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). We are also the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:14). Is our light to be snuffed out during the darkest period of the history of the world?"

      Throughout almost every part of the Bible that talks about the Day of the Lord, this time is described as a time of darkness. Not just dark....VERY dark:

      "Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
      For what good is the day of the Lord to you?
      It will be darkness, and not light.
      [...] Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light?
      Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?" Amos 5:18, 20

      On the first page of Scripture God divided the light and darkness. He divided the Day and the Night. "You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness." 1 Thess. 5:5

      Whether the Church is the restrainer, or the Holy Spirit, or Michael, I do not know for 100% sure. I have my theories that seem supported by Scripture but can't say for sure 100%. However, it is clear in Scripture that the time will be extraordinarily dark.

      Regarding the 5th and 6th trumpets, again I will respectfully disagree with much humility and love. The plagues are in God's authority as evidenced by Rev. 9:3-6. And the purpose of the 4 angels who had a 200-million army was to literally kill 1/3 of mankind (Rev. 9:15) and this was designed to not only punish but to bring to repentance (Rev. 9:20-21). The AC / satan would not doing this. (See Matt. 12:25-27)

      Thank you for sharing where you're coming from, sister. You said that it comes from a heart of love for our Father and I know this is absolutely true. Blessings to you in the name of the Lord.

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    12. Hillary – Yes our Father is so good, merciful, and full of grace. God also is love (1 John 2:5) and His ways are just and perfect (Isaiah 30:18, Deuteronomy 32:4). These things work together, they are not in opposition. To assume that God rescues Christians from Daniel’s 70th week primarily because He does not want His children to go through tribulation goes against so many other scriptures that tell us that we are in fact appointed to tribulation and that we must go through much tribulation before entering the kingdom of God (John 16:33, Acts 14:22, 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4). It deserves repeating that tribulation, even great tribulation, is not God’s wrath or the Day of the Lord.

      With 2 Timothy 3:16-17 in mind, please know that the rest of my comments are also being said in sisterly love.

      IMO counting on God’s good character, in place of the whole counsel and will of God, as a main reason to insist that a pre-tribulation rapture occurs seems like a precarious position to take. Those thought processes remind me of how the devil preys on people’s logic and emotions to deceive. Wasn’t Eve tricked into eating the fruit in the garden because the devil knew how to cleverly have her question God’s words and purpose? And also, wasn’t Satan perverting the word of God by trying to persuade Jesus to throw himself down from the highest point of the temple because God loves His Son so much and would command His angels to rescue him? Satan even quoted scripture when trying to trick Jesus into thinking that God’s love for Him would surpass God’s ultimate will and plan and his other commands (i.e., not to put the Lord your God to the test). It is so important for us to remember God’s character but also His plan and will that is laid out in scripture. When scripture does not support a certain position, we cannot then just rely on what we think God would or should do for us. Let us be like the Bereans who search scriptures and also let us reason together like God commanded.

      In regards to your reply about the 5th and 6th trumpets, I agree that God has ultimate control of his creation and is sovereign, but He is not the one committing these acts. Who do you think are the 200 million mounted troops? And how does that fit in with the rest of the Revelation narrative? Jesus laid out the sequence of the end times in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and also directs us to Daniel for further information and clarification. Together these provide a solid template of end time events which then can be used to understand the timing of other scriptures such as Revelation. If one continues to see the order of tribulation as the 7 seals happening first, then the 7 trumpets, and then the 7 bowls, then nothing lines up with the master template. We are told in Revelation 6:16-17 that after the 6th seal is open God’s “wrath has come.” Then when the 7th trumpet is sounded we are also told that God’s “wrath has come.” How many times can God’s wrath come during D70 week? God is not a God of confusion; the 6th seal must line up with the 7th trumpet in order for any of it to make sense. Therefore, the trumpets are blown at points throughout the seals.

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    13. Let us not forget that God is the author of a perfect plan, and for good reasons He has allowed evil to come into being and at times will use Satan to move His plans forward. Satan has power only because God is allowing it, but currently his leash is short. In the first chapter of Job, we read how Satan asks for permission to afflict Job and then when Job remains righteous after Satan’s initial afflictions he asks permission again to further trouble Job. In Job 2:3-6, it says that before the devil could attack one of God’s chosen, he had to get permission from God. In Luke 22:31, we read, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.” Here again we see that Satan is only allowed to do what God allows him to do and can’t go any farther. During the great tribulation, Satan’s leash is going to be much longer since God permits the removal of the restrainer and we also learn that God will allow His saints to be “handed over.” This is not because God does not love us or have mercy on us, it is because God is just in His ways and His plan is perfect even if we can’t fully comprehend it.

      From the sounds of it, the next month or two are very heightened months for pretribbers as expectations for the rapture are high. But, if Jesus doesn’t return as soon as you think please hold on to the promises that he is returning!

      Isaiah 35:3-4, “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those with an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

      God bless and stay strong in the word of God!

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  23. Matthew 16:18 I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. VS Rev 13:7 it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.

    Both can't be true.

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    1. I suppose that can depend on one's interpretation of time and finality. You are absolutely correct that the gates of hell will never ultimately prevail against the church. In Daniel 7:21-22, the word "UNTIL" bears a whole lot of weight.

      "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; UNTIL the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom."

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    2. I'm sorry Tracy, but you can't have it both ways. If your interpretation of scripture conflicts with other scripture then it's clear that your interpretation needs some work. You know, a year-end a half ago I had the same beliefs that you have now. for me, it was understanding the Revelation 12 sign that clarified the rest of scripture, I believe that the blinders on my eyes were lifted.
      I want to say this in a loving way but yes I am implying that there are blinders on your eyes and the Holy Spirit if you allow him will lift them.
      I also believed that there was no way anyone would be saved after the Rapture. I was wrong and after I started studying more deeply God revealed the truth.

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    3. They are both true in their own respective dispensations.

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    4. lwjackn absolutely! But if you mix up the dispensations you will remaining clueless. I wonder if Tracy cannot discern these when sealed with the Holy Spirit as a believer? The HS would certainly teach her like He did with Isaiah. Thus, I would dare to conclude she will get what she despite all scriptural evidence presented so firmly and obstinately believed and end up into the tribulation eventually. MARANATHA!

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  24. The biggies for me have always been:

    John being caught up to Heaven to view whats coming and then the Church never being mentioned again after chapter 4 of Revelation.

    The Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven while the Tribulation roars. This can't happen unless the Church is already in Heaven.

    If we see the Saints coming back with Christ to set up His Kingdom, again they have to already be in Heaven. And if the Rapture happens at the end of the Tribulation, they go up just to come right back down with Christ.

    If we're not appointed to wrath, why would we be down here getting our heads lobbed off. Not appointed to wrath means just that. If not the Church, who are those not appointed to wrath?

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    1. "If we see the Saints coming back with Christ to set up His Kingdom, again they have to already be in Heaven. And if the Rapture happens at the end of the Tribulation, they go up just to come right back down with Christ."

      I think it is Robert Breaker who describes this as a "bounce." It's like we would bounce up and come right back down. There are so many Scriptures that do not harmonize with this, especially Is. 26:17-21.

      Thank you so much, Bernie!

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    2. Haven't heard of the "bounce," it does sound pointless. I do like Breaker's videos on the Rev 12 sign, and the one on "No man knows the day or the hour."

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    3. Jesus taught an intimate relationship with the Father that had never been taught in Israel up to that time. No one called God Abba or Daddy until Jesus came and this was the picture of God that He wanted us to have. Scripture says that we who are evil can give good gifts to our children and should therefore expect good things from our Father in heaven. I have two children and would NEVER EVEN CONSIDER leaving them in a situation like the tribulation is going to be. How can I think that my Heavenly Father would leave me here to endure these things. You don't teach your children not to play in the street by running over their legs in the driveway with your car. If you expect treatment from the Father that you would condemn in a man do you really know the Father? This is a case closed issue for me and there is no room for discussion. This is not an academic exercise it is tantamount to accusing the Living God of child abuse. I realize this is very strong language but that doesn't make it not the truth. I'm not angry while I write this but it would hurt me for my kids to think I would treat them this way and I'm sure it hurts Him too.

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    4. I totally agree, Jim Jackson. Blessings. :)

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    5. Jim wrote: "This is not an academic exercise it is tantamount to accusing the Living God of child abuse. I realize this is very strong language but that doesn't make it not the truth. I'm not angry while I write this but it would hurt me for my kids to think I would treat them this way and I'm sure it hurts Him too."

      I agree with this. In another comment I talked about the parable of the talents where the servant hides his portion and says "I knew you to be a hard man..." This parable is about the nature of God, and the servant believed falsely and acted according to his beliefs. It is very sad.

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  25. What is the most compelling biblical case you've found for a pre-trib rapture?
    Simply, the eminance of it!!!

    1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (KJV)
    17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
    18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

    It would not be possible to "comfort one another with these words" if we had to look forward to the "wrath" first!
    blessings, philip t. sarlo

    My Story:
    https://heaven4sure.com/2012/08/18/lost-at-sea-philip-sarlos-story-heaven4sure-com-personal-testimonies/






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    1. "It would not be possible to "comfort one another with these words" if we had to look forward to the "wrath" first!"

      Amen! Amen! Thank you, Philip!

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    2. I forgot that one, good reminder.

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  26. If I read it correctly the church is not on earth when Rev 13 takes place. If Matt 16 and Rev 13 are the word of God and true, the church is removed. This is inforces a pretribulation rapture.

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  27. Hello family, I don't usually share dreams much...but I have to share this one...I was given Ez. 33:3-6 immediately afterwards. So here's my story: really early AM, I awoke suddenly as tho' I'd been startled awake and felt I had to know the time. I checked, 3:33 AM. I prayed for the lost and went back to sleep (well, I THOUGHT I'd gone back to sleep.) Then I was having a vision? dream? (Not sure which 'cause after I felt I'd been awake.) This is what it was: I heard a loud boom, like an explosion. I felt chaos/emergency. I saw my laptop screen. It had Facebook up on it, except it was all gray besides the blue fb frame. Couldn't see any posts. Then a little personal message box popped up. The name of the person sending me a message read "United States Ambassador". There was a long urgent/emergency message on it. Problem is I couldn't read it, it was too chaotic for me to calm and see it clearly. Then I don't know if I saw on that little screen, or heard or felt it but it said "333" in BIG BLACK PRINT. (Don't ask me how you can hear or feel something in print...but I just wasn't sure which it was!) So I'm just letting everyone know, because I think I'm supposed to. And that we need to be praying! (I know, everyone is, right?!) Maranatha!!!!! ...I'll post this over at Rev. 12 too. So please forgive the repeat!

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    1. Hey Little Sister, 333 has been popping up all over the place. I know of at least one website dedicated to it.

      Quoting Ezekiel,

      2 Son of man speak to your people and say to them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman;

      3 If he blows the shofar, when he sees the sword come upon the land, to warn the people;

      4 Then, whoever hears the sound of the shofar, and does not take warning, if the sword comes, and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

      (Ezekiel 33:2-4 TNK)

      333


      "If he blows the shofar" is as saying, "If he sounds the alarm". Just as a radioman sounds the alarm,

      ... --- ...

      dot, dot, dot, dash, dash, dash, dot, dot, dot

      S O S

      333


      At the Feast of Trumpets the trumpet is sounded in a triplet of three tones 11 times. That's 9-blasts 11-times with the final blast being the longest. The last trumpet. Nine. Eleven.

      You've gotta love how G-D has ordered everything!

      Blessings

      PR




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    2. Look at the time stamp on Pastor Rich’s comment... 3:33 PM

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    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    4. HOLY SMOKES!!!

      I posted that at 3:33pm? THAT WAS TOTALLY UNINTENTIONAL!

      As a matter of fact, I was paying NO ATTENTION to the time! I was delayed in posting that as my wife and I were talking. That was totally a G-d thing!

      WOW!!!

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    5. That is weird ... Last night I woke up at about 3:30 AM, wide awake, so I decided to open my Spurgeon App and read the current devotional.. based on Jeremiah 33:3 " I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not."
      When I finished reading the devotional I looked at the time... yup you guessed it 3:33 am
      what does it mean?

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    6. Wow, I couldn't get on and I come back to ALL this about the 3's! I have seen and understood all that you've told about it, Richard F....but when I saw the 3:33 on your post... W H A T??????!!!!!!!!!! So amazing. Not to mention others' experiences! I have been having SO man Holy Spirit "not coincidences" lately. I'm really just thrilled by all of it. Thank you all for sharing yours!

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    7. Could it mean something great and miraculous is going to happen when Israel reaches 3:33 on 9/11????

      I'm so excited I can barely breathe!

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    8. Also, I was thinking wasnt Jesus crucified at noon and die around 3? Could it have been at 3:33? Just a curious thought, I could be way off base here

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  28. Its pretty simple God's wrath cannot fall on His son twice.
    Iam ready and watching. I have my own personal observance and like pieces of a puzzle we who are alert see the landscape just fine. Signs of the times, hebrew dates from 5778 to 5779. Its said there are 3 that bear wetness, Astronomical, the word, and one in stone(that pillar of witness in the middle of and on the border of Egypt the great pyramid.

    Gregg

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    1. "Its pretty simple God's wrath cannot fall on His Son twice."

      Spot on.

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    2. I LOVE this phrase that Gary quoted above! Agreed S P O T O N!!!!!!!

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    3. AMEN.

      Blessings to you in Jesus' name.

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  29. Hi Hilary,

    Like you I was post trib to begin with. I couldn't find evidence in scripture to point me in a pre trib direction. But then I found my husband listening to a sermon from Dr. Chuck Missler on the Jewish wedding and that changed my understanding forever.

    Recently though, I've been amazed at examples in the old Testament of how God has done something similar before. We all know about Enoch (I think). But there is also Elisha and Elijah:

    This is 2Kings 2. Not only was Elisha taken, it says that Elijah never saw him again. There is no mention of a burial. It also mentions that his mantle fell from him. I found that striking compared to some of our movies showing clothes falling from those who are raptured:

    11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind. 12 As Elisha watched, he kept crying out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” Then he never saw Elijah again. He took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.

    Elisha Succeeds Elijah
    13 Elisha picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.

    And then there is this, 2 kings 8, which gave me tingles when I read it earlier this year with fresh eyes. Not only was she saved out of the 7 year famine, reminding me of the Time of Jacob's Trouble, it also talks about restoring back to life:

    8 Elisha said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Get ready, you and your household, and go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the Lord has announced a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land.”

    Great article, I really enjoyed it.

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    1. sorry Elijah taken lol. I keep mixing the two up.

      Delete
    2. I keep thinking that these are the two we know about from scripture... but there are missing people from many ages of history.

      Also, at least one verse talks about the Archangel Michael fetching the body of Moses to take up to God/Heaven, rebuking the devil in the process. This might explain why Moses could appear in the mount of transfiguration story, and why Jesus proclaimed him as still alive. He's also been translated like Enoch and Elijah and possibly others of importance to God.

      I just know there's a lot more going on 'up there.' As John reveals to us... If everything about Jesus was written down, there wouldn't be enough room in the world for all the books.

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    3. Wow, I know this story, but had never focused on the mantle falling off him. You're right, that does resemble the Left Behind stories and movies.

      "Elisha picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan."

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    4. Missler's teaching on the Jewish wedding is fantastic! And I love your observation about the mantle falling. I've never read it the way you did (connecting it to our clothes falling off in rapture movies) and WOW. It also is a perfect example of our "old bodies" being discarded, or changed, just like Paul teaches. Excellent insight!!

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  30. Hilary, thank you so much for this post as it has generated some of the most enlightening and engaging discussion I've ever witnessed online. Discussion that is insightful, so respectful and honoring. I'm so blessed to be part of this fellowship! Maranatha!

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    Replies
    1. Keith, this touched me deeply. I'm really grateful to you for your kind observations and for reading the article and your comments. It's a topic that tends to be controversial but I appreciate that it has been done so with respect. God bless you!

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  31. And Tracy, thanks for your grace and courage to present your "side" of the matter...you've provided some very thoughtful and intelligent rebuttals (for lack of a better word).

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  32. For me there's "the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church" argument, that's been mentioned already. There's also the case of Lot, who wasn't some awesome, heroic saint. Just an average, bit materialistic, bit opportunistic guy, who nevertheless kept believing in God and cringed at Sodomites doing their things, and this attitude was counted as righteousness to him. The place couldn't be fried until Lot was removed from there, so it makes sense that Earth can't be judged until folks who are considered as righteous are removed as well.

    By the way, with times as they are now, I'm starting to appreciate Lot's cringing as surrounding deeds. Culture sure seems to be getting increasingly alien day after day.

    In my case I was "kinda pre-tri" unbeliever and Got got to me through the prophecy. I know some preachers consider prophecy issues a distraction, but some folks - I don't think I'm the only one - need prophecy to "get" the gospel; a sort of a verification to take Bible literally and seriously, I think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "In my case I was "kinda pre-tri" unbeliever and Got got to me through the prophecy. I know some preachers consider prophecy issues a distraction, but some folks - I don't think I'm the only one - need prophecy to "get" the gospel; a sort of a verification to take Bible literally and seriously, I think."

      I'll second that.

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    2. "By the way, with times as they are now, I'm starting to appreciate Lot's cringing as surrounding deeds. Culture sure seems to be getting increasingly alien day after day."

      I agree. It's hard to even read the news.

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  33. Whilst we are quoting scripture, has anyone considered the harvests of Israel?

    There were 3 major harvests during the time of Jesus, the first being the Barley harvest, then the Wheat and finally the Grapes. The Barley is winnowed I.e thrown into the air (rapture). The Wheat is threshed and during Roman times a device called a tribulum was used (tribulation) and finally the Grapes would be for wine, re. Wedding at Cana, the start of Christs Ministry which could take us into his rule and reign for the millennium.

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    1. As a matter of fact, yes, but not as simply put as you have here.

      Well ordered and said!

      Welcome to the harvest!!

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    2. Yes!

      Barley thrown up --> Church rapture

      Wheat in tribulum --> 5th Seal Martyrs + remnant of Israel

      Grapes pressed --> Unbelievers crushed at Armageddon and blood flows to the height of a horse's bridle

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    3. I was just about to say the exact same thing as Gary about the Grapes, but then I saw his post. SO...I 2nd that! :-)

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    4. Janice! I love that! I knew some about the harvests but I have not seen it described exactly this way. Going to share this. Thank you!

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  34. Please forgive me for changing the subject a bit, but I am wondering what opinion any of you might have about our pets going up with their Christian owners in the Rapture ? I believe the Parable that the prophet Nathan told King David about the poor man who owned the little ewe lamb who drank from his cup and laid in his arms and was like a daughter to him conveys God's always perfect understanding of how much we love our pets and see them as our children. I know animals don't sin and the Bible says all flesh shall see the salvation of God and God preserves man and beast. I know God is merciful beyond anything we can imagine and that He put animals on the Ark and animals also left Egypt in the Exodus. I trust my Lord and Savior and really believe that He will rescue my pets along with me in the Rapture just to make me happy. If anyone has thoughts on this I would really like to hear them. God bless you all and wonderful article, Hilary !

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    1. While I believe our pets will go with us … I can share a rapture dream I had just this past week. I just started a new job (was actually offered a new job 3 days later and start it on the 24th) and all of a sudden I was overlooking a valley. Thousands of dogs were running like crazy (jumping and happy) towards a light that was coming from the West and covering the earth just like an eclipse does. People also running towards the coming light. I ran, and once in the light was raptured up into heaven where I met my wife who was at her work and was raptured up too. But, the point is that all of those dogs were being raptured up. Yes … it was a dream so it may have just been my great imagination. But, I find it interesting that I just got the new job and it happens to start on the 24th.

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    2. Archangel, I published an article on this a few years back:

      https://www.unsealed.org/2015/04/animals-in-heaven.html

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    3. Thank you Gary and unknown. I believe animals will be raptured and one reason why is that many will die in the Tribulation of famine, so countries that cruelly slaughter cats and dogs etc for food must lose the chance to do so because the animals have disappeared. In fact, the wild animals that are left will lose their natural fear of humans and kill them instead. A little payback, if you will...

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    4. Someone on this site recommended a book a while back called There is Eternal Life for Animals by Niki Behrikis Shanahan. It was jaw dropping.
      One question I used to ask is why would the Lord order the killing of animals in this instance but not that one. Her answer is: "Man's fate determines the animals fate." In other words, Sodom and Gomorrah lost their animals, but Noah took his.
      Great book and all Bible based.

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    5. The fact that Noah took animals into the ark does not necessarily prove they will be raptured with us. The earth had to be repopulated back then and animals that couldn't survive under water had to be kept alive of course. But the earth will NOT be flooded again. There will be still space enough for air-breathing animals to survive that time on earth. Regarding the rapture, I'd like to have some SCRIPTURES quoted please to back this belief up but not some dreams or books of someone wrote to pin his own wishful thinking down. Scriptures please, OK? Thank you!

      Now I got only Romans 9:19-23 that implies that nature + animals (!) will have to wait on earth to be restored in the millennium reign of Christ until "the manifestation of the sons of God" i.e. when the glorified saints will return to earth together with Christ VISIBLY to everybody at the end of the tribulation period at Armageddon in Revelation 19:14 / 1 Thessalonians 3:13 --- it would be nice to see some hard fact scriptures that disprove this as I haven't found ANY yet. Just from the bible please. Blessings to all of you!

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    6. Sorry I meant Romans 8:19-23 above. Typing error on my phone...

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    7. Archangel,

      Thank you for this comment. This question has been on my mind lately as well. I have a sweet parrot that I sincerely hope will follow me in the rapture. He would be devastated if I never came home to him again and it breaks my heart to think about it. I surely hope that they are raptured along with the rest of the family!

      Gary- Thanks for posting the article as well!

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    8. You are welcome, Zorrobird. I, too, cannot imagine life without my pets. I just can't believe that they would be left behind while God pours out judgements on His enemies. I read Nikki Shanahan's book There is Eternal Life for Animals and The Rainbow Bridge. She studied the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures and found that the same words regarding the spirit and soul of humans were used for animals. And, of course, man and animals were formed from the same dust of the earth. I keep reminding myself that Jesus said Let not your heart be troubled or afraid and Fear not so many times. I know God can do more than we can even think or imagine and nothing is too hard for Him. He truly understands how we feel about our pets and He is so merciful and kind that I am sure He will bring them up if we ask Him and quite probably we won't have to ask. God bless you and your beautiful bird.

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    9. Thank you!!! Same to you!

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    10. Thank you Archangel, for having BOUGHT and READ the book. Perhaps you can see the author READ and STUDIED the Bible rather then having the information spoon fed through Youtube.
      I wish I had the time to write out the information contained in the 100 plus page book.......but I don't. I mentioned Noah only in the context that he was a GOOD man and the animals with him had a good outcome. To illustrate a point that has clearly(!) flown over someone's head.
      I'm not sure how anyone (!) can argue the merits of a book they have not read. That would be like me arguing the merits of NON biblical books......like Enoch or Jashur.
      Blessings!

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    11. Thank you Zorrobird and Just Waiting. I have prayed much for my pets to be raptured with me and I don't worry now because God is good. Back in 1988 my beautiful orange tabby Tiger got sick with a disease that no feline can live with called feline infectious peritonitis or FIP. He was an indoor cat and I had no idea how he got it but I fasted and prayed and started reading the Gospel of John out loud and my 11 year old cat went into full remission and lived another four years that I know was given to him by God. The vet was amazed. Jesus said All things are possible with God and He always has our best interests in His compassionate heart. I won't fear but trust God in everything.

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    12. Unfortunately, I got only opinions to read but no scriptures...

      Did we already talk about the fact that there are no pets AT ALL mentioned in the whole bible but only livestock (or working animals like oxen or horses) or wild animals in the field? The only exception I could ever find were the puppies of the rich people in Matthew 15:26-27 and parallel sections in Mark 7:27-28. Just saying.

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    13. I agree with you Annabel. Although I believe there will be animals in the Millenium and New Jerusalem, I don't think we will have or need "pets". We will be very busy with casting our crowns at Jesus's feet, and praising God. We won't have time to deal with pets. Jesus came to redeem sinnful Human Beings, not our pets. Just my opinion though......Rich

      Delete
    14. Um, I gave the name of a book that contains scripture, linguistics, then ties it all together. I did it in order to rest certain fears that people have concerning the animals that they CARE for. If the Lord cares for the birds why should we not have a special care for a parrot?
      Jesus came that we might have life and that MORE ABUNDANTLY. The devil came to steal, to kill, and to destroy. He is the father of all lies, the accuser, and the TORMENTOR. If you are tormented about the state of the animals left behind then it does not come from a position of trust in the Lord.
      I'm not going to paraphrase an entire book for your convenience but an explanation is there for those who are interested in learning more.
      Really, your Pharisaical rock throwing has quite destroyed any pleasure I received from this site.
      Billy Graham not a Christian?
      The sun is not really in the sky?
      The lunar eclipse didn't happen?
      Nasa is part of some grand conspiracy theory?
      Doesn't sound rational to me.
      Good by and blessings to all.

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    15. Psalm 37:4 King James Version (KJV)

      4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

      Delete
    16. Just Waiting, I greatly appreciate your insight. Please don't go. I choose to ignore the cynics rather than let them get under my skin. I know, that sun simulator thing was outrageous, as if God, Who created the sun, can't cause a solar eclipse and would let man fake one. God specifically said He would use the sun, moon and stars for signs. She must have missed that Scripture while calling on others to produce Scriptures for what we believe. I have wondered about the motives of some who comment here. But I know this is a great and powerful teaching site and I have learned so much from the writers and commenters. I truly hope you will still visit here. I know I am not the only one who appreciates you. God bless you.

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  35. Thank you all for the wonderfully written articles that you have contributed over the past couple of years. I REALLY REALLY hope Feast of Trumpets of 2018 at the last trump. We all experience the rapture. I almost feel dizzy with excitement. Think I might ring in sick tomorrow. (hopefully I wont have to ;)

    I seen this Jewish website, that is looking out for the 1st sliver of the new moon.
    Might be interesting to keep an eye on it. http://www.renewedmoon.com/

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    Replies
    1. I echo your excitement and hope! Trying very hard to wait patiently. Not succeeding very well. 😂

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  36. correction.. hopefully I wont have to ring in sick tomorrow.. because.. The rapture happened!!

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  37. Sorry. I keep forgetting my name doesnt automatically show up.. It's Jordan here, for those last two messages..

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  38. Did you guys see two more big earthquakes in the last 24 hours? The latest was a 6.9 or 7.0 at L'Esperance Rock, New Zealand.

    L'Esperance is French for "The Hope".

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    Replies
    1. I saw it! Lots of Earthquake activity and churning of the seas!

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  39. This is why Paul warned women to remain silent in the Churches (1 Cor 11)

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  40. I find it wild and interesting too that there are 6 active hurricanes in the oceans. The earth is travailing!

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    1. Winds and the waves roaring too. :)

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    2. Wind & waves roaring has been on my mind constantly. Plus the number of earthquakes! Praying that people will wake up & seek the Lord!

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    3. Luke 21:25 King James Version (KJV)

      25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

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  41. Gary and Pastor Rich, I was reading a note about Isaiah 17 prophecy against Damascus. There is a lot of commentators that believe this prophecy will happen prior to or beginning of Tribulation. As I was reading over it, i couldnt help be compelled by the last verses of the chapter....

    "In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone!"

    Any thoughts, I do not want to take scripture out of context or bend it to what I want to see. So I humbley reach out for your insight.

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    Replies
    1. Lyndsey, if this takes place BEFORE the tribulation begins (and thus before the rapture too while we're still here) the consequence would have to be that "Damascus will cease to be a city" so it MUST be destroyed as a whole (!) with NO inhabitants left to be not any longer qualified as a city. Instead, currently there are even lots of people returning to their destroyed homes and living inside the ruins! Thus, I don't really believe this prophecy is among those we will yet experience to be fulfilled before we leave but rather afterwards. Blessings to you!

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    2. Hi Lyndsey,

      Isaiah 17 had caught my attention a while back.

      10 For you have forgotten the God of your
      salvation and have not remembered the Rock
      of your refuge; therefore, though you plant
      pleasant plants and sow the vine-branch of
      a stranger,

      11 though you make them grow on the day that
      you plant them, and make them blossom in the
      morning that you sow, yet the harvest will
      flee away in a day of grief and incurable
      pain.

      (Isaiah 17:10-11 ESV)


      Verse 10 talks of "pleasant plants" in the ESV. The Tanakh records this as "a delightful sapling". Keeping in mind that function is king in the Hebrew language; the word is Naamans ("נעמנים"). I don't have my notes at hand at the moment but if you go looking for the story of a particular gentile leprous general of the Syrian Army named Naaman; you my find some interesting connections.

      "...yet the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain" is very likely a Rapture reference. The Hebrew text renders this using the word "קָצִ֛יר" meaning harvest or reaping (usually of wheat). My Tanakh renders this point as, "נד קָצִ֛יר" or "wither away". Some sources suggest this is corrupt and may be better understood as "fled is the harvest".

      "This is the portion of those who loot us, and the lot of those who plunder us." (Isaiah 17:14)


      This portion takes me back to (Isaiah 57:6) where the prophet speaks,

      6 "Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they are your lot"

      Drop back now to 1 Samuel and the story of David and Goliath,

      40 "then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:40 ESV)


      Saul and the men of Israel were encamped in the Valley of Elah where a brook ran through the valley. This is where David gathered the stones with which to face Goliath.

      Note how Isaiah uses the word "portion?"

      Some key passages worth deeper study especially given the connection of a gentile in authority and reference to a harvest that has fled? Hmm, sounds familiar.

      Worthy of more study.


      PR

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    3. PS> Even if you were to not understand ("נד") as to "flee"; I believe the traditional translation in this case is a "heap" of waters as in the Red Sea crossing. Thus even if the passage was not corrupt, it may still be representative as a Rapture reference.

      The number (gematria) of the word "נד" is 54. Here are Strong's Concordance accordingly,

      Strong's Hebrew #54
      ==========================
      Ebyathar: meaning "the great one is father" (name of an Israelite priest)
      Original Word: אֶבְיָתָר
      Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
      Transliteration: Ebyathar
      Phonetic Spelling: (ab-yaw-thawr')
      Short Definition: Abiathar

      Source: Biblehub.com


      Strong's Greek #54
      ==========================
      hagnotés: purity, chastity
      Original Word: ἁγνότης, τητος, ἡ
      Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
      Transliteration: hagnotés
      Phonetic Spelling: (hag-not'-ace)
      Short Definition: purity, chastity
      Definition: purity, chastity.

      Source: Biblehub.com

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    4. Thanks Pastor Rich, I am eager to dig deeper. I appreciate your insight. I see and agree with your assessment of the rapture reference. God gave us so much warning and evidence of His plan for us. It is a wild journey to realize. I suppose thats what comes of spiritual growth. Thanks again

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  42. Wonderful article! I am not sure what specifically lead me to believe in a pretrib rapture. It is something my momma taught me and I never really thought differently.

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    1. Glad to hear it, Zorrobird! God bless your momma!

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  43. Thank you Hillary for such a wonderful article! I started out as a mid-trib believer and I changed my thoughts on that when I first saw Scott Clarke's video's regarding the FOT and the Great Sign last September 23/24th. I've been a pre-trib believer ever since. I have had several dreams that I know are about the Rapture going back to 1988 when I had some emergency surgery and literally died on the table. While out of body so to speak I saw and spoke with Jesus and he assured me that I was not to "see death" as others would and that I had to return to earth for a time. He also assured me he would come back to collect me and take me with him at a later time. After this experience I was resuscitated and experienced literally "falling down from a great height" into my physical body. Exactly 3 days later I received the "Holy Spirit" from Jesus marking me for eventual Rapture along with the rest of the Church members. That experience alone was life altering for me and I will never forget it. I went on to have 3 dreams after this time, one in 1988, another in 2010 and the last one occurring on August 27th, 2016, ironically the day of the closest conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. I did not know this fact for several weeks after I had the last dream but once I found this fact out it drove home Jesus' message that much more. The last dream I had was a huge Sun appeared in the sky, much larger than our sun and the outside of this giant Sun fell away exposing the planet Jupiter beneath it. Then the outside returned once more and it looked like a giant Sun again. Then it proceeded to make 3 extremely loud trumpet sounds (they sound nothing like a brass trumpet and more like a cruise ship horn blast but louder). After the 3 trumpet blasts the Sun started saying my name over and over - literally calling me. The voice was strange and sounded like either many voices at once or slightly metallic...I don't know it was an odd sound and at that point in the dream I knew it was time and I needed to walk to the giant Sun because it was calling me home. Then I woke up. All I know is what I feel and I honestly believe these dreams were messages from the Lord to let me know the time is nigh for his return. The sudden appearing of the giant Sun in my dream in what seemed like an ordinary day was compelling. I believe it will happen suddenly and perhaps when we all least expect it but nonetheless, the Rapture is coming soon. My sincere thank you to everyone here at Unsealed.org. I have learned so much from all of you and I thoroughly enjoy the articles as well as the comments. Blessed be to all! :)

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    1. Wow, Joan. What an experience. Thank you so much for sharing that with us...it encouraged me very much. I read a comment somewhere by a woman who met Corrie Ten Boom some years ago before Corrie died. She told this woman that "if you live to be as old as I am now, you will live to see the rapture," or a similar statement. What an amazing testimony confirmed through dreams and other people that add fuel to the fires of my joy and excitement. God bless you!

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  44. "The divine is implicit in every manifested being. You cannot be here, incarnated, and not be an aspect of God."...Paul Selig

    See: "Claim Your Divinity & Overcome Your Fear."

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  45. "What is the most compelling biblical case you've found for a pre-trib rapture?"

    The fact we see the 24 elders (representing the Body of Christ) in heaven BEFORE the Lamb begins to open the scrolls is HUGE to me. Gary had a wonderful article on this topic in early August which solidified the fact these represent the redeemed Church! If we're in heaven, already crowned via the Judgement Seat of Christ, watching Yeshua take the scroll, then by CRYSTAL clear logic we have to be "caught up" prior to D70.

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    1. Gary's article was amazing! So glad it encouraged you!

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  46. “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

    I was reminded today of this passage: Genesis 18:22-33. Here, Abraham interceded for Lot and later we read that the angels could not destroy the city until Lot and his family escaped. (Gen. 19:22)

    Today we do not have Abraham interceding for us. We have the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26-27) and Jesus Himself (Rom. 8:34) interceding for us. This passage is phenomenal:

    22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.
    23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
    24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
    26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
    27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?”
    So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”
    29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?”
    So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”
    30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?”
    So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
    31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”
    So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
    32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”
    And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

    Praise be to God!!

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  47. Thank you Hillary for this wonderful article.

    I actually watched a video today from someone who said one of the main reasons he's a pre-tribber is due to the tribulation day count in the book of Daniel and Revelation. Specifically, that since we know exactly when the middle of the tribulation takes place (at the abomination that causes desolation), all one has to do is count 1260 days and they'd know the exact day when Jesus returns to earth. That doesn't really fit with a post trib. view of no man knowing the day or hour.

    Hillary, if I could make a small request, would it be possible for you to take some of the wonderful comments on why people lean towards the pre-trib. view and add a short bullet point list of them to the end of your article? Sometimes people don't have time to read every comment, and that would be very helpful for those coming across your article for the first time as well as those of us who want to recall what was previously shared.

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    1. Hi Ryan! I am actually hoping to do exactly what you suggested. I am also figuring out a way to make some kind of shareable graphic or document with the list. It may take a few days but check back!

      And thank you for reading & for your kind words. To God be the glory!

      Delete
    2. (^^I should add like I always want to: "....if we're still here!" 😂)

      Delete
  48. So I couldn’t sleep and started messing around on the internet and found this and thought of an article on unsealed that might connect(about the names of the hurricanes last year)! Can you put this together better…Thanks and God bless you and thank you for the website!!!


    Now look up the names of the hurricanes this year right now>>>
    Florence>> Interesting history but the name meaning BLOSSOM OR FLOWER
    Isaac>>> Come on now…Birth of Isaac was huge and his name means TO LAUGH because they laughed when he was conceived miraculously. So I get JOY from that name maybe as well…
    Then
    Helene>>>Name meaning SHINING LIGHT

    MAYBE YOU CAN PIECE ALL THIS TOGETHER IN AN ARTICLE,
    This totally sounds like a birth, a miraculous joyful birth
    BLOSSOM
    LAUGHING/JOY/MIRACLE..
    SHINING LIGHT


    Hmmm don’t know maybe I’m looking into this too much but with everything going on this month..Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Tabernacles and Jupiter being in Libra right in the middle of the Scales/Judgment?? ( all the star alignments in stellerium, can’t make sense of it all but looks important) and supreme court nominee in the news, Trumps peace plan..Etc Etc..

    I’M HOPING FOR HUGE REVIVAL,MARANTHA


    Maybe the birth pains are coming to a crescendo .. maybe THE BABY IS COMING!!!!!!!!!


    When I looked up the names I thought of this verse…

    Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
    I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

    For the hurricanes you can use this to see them:
    https://www.ventusky.com/



    Oh also found this fascinating video on the TWO WITNESSES
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE81HrKxHoo&t=0s&list=WL&index=37
    The Two Witnesses might not be what we think. Really cool makes you wonder??!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FOUND THAT ARTICLE...........>>>>
      https://www.unsealed.org/2017/09/the-second-nativity.html

      Delete
    2. https://www.mlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2018/09/5_hurricanes_and_a_tropical_st.html
      5 Hurricanes right now..or tropical storms but the names are intresting LOL

      Delete
    3. All of this travail at the same time....just like Jesus prophesied in Luke 21:25-26. Today I read that some waves in part of Hurricane Florence were measuring 83 FEET! Lord have mercy!

      Delete
  49. Hillary, thanks be to God for you and the entire Unsealed team! I am always blessed when a new article gets posted. This topic has been on my mind lately, and has caused me to believe more strongly in a Pre-Trib Rapture. It is hard for me though, as my wife (Beverly) is so far from me in Spiritual things. Yes I know that she is a believer, and that she will go with me in the rapture, but her belief in the timing of that event is polar opposite than mine. I have not had much discussion with her about the rapture, only that I suggested she read your article, and she did so. After reading, she told me that she believes we are in the tribulation, and that the second advent and the rapture are the same event. She practices the Roman Catholic religion now, but was Born Again about the same time I was (1978). She became a Roman Catholic around 1980, and has been attending the church since. She does attend church with me on Saturday nights (Evangelical), and I am thankful for that. She also attends a small group with me. Although we both know that our differing view on the rapture is not a salvatiion issue, it still bothers me that we are not of the same mind. Actually, we are not of the same mind on many other issues as well. It is hard to talk to her about spiritual things. She has her beliefs so grounded in Roman Catholic Theology (she has a masters degree from a Catholic University), that she will not sway from anything the RCC teaches, or question it. I have often wanted to sit down with her and compare what the RCC teaches (Catechism) with what the Scriptures plainly say, but she won't have any part of it. I am praying that God will put someone in her life that will be able to talk to her- someone she trusts. Someone that will help her to see the error of the RCC, and it's (core) teachings. I covet the prayers of this community, and am thankful for them. Thanks, Rich. AKA Joe Yahoo (fictitious name. I have no idea how to change it on this blog).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Praying for you and your wife, Rich. I know how difficult it must be but keep holding fast. God is faithful and knows your heart's cry for your wife's salvation. He too is willing for her to receive the knowledge of the truth and be saved. Fast and pray. Do not lose heart!

      Delete
  50. If you can't even convince the Conservative Christians on Freerepublic.com, then you should realize that your arguments are false: http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3686420/posts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The lack of logic and the accusatory nature of your point proves that we should just ignore you and move on. I am stating that just so others dont have to waste time reading your drivel.

      Amillenialists are people who have believed the lie that prophecy cannot and should not be understood. And people who want to be part of a site called freerepublic have no business making judgements about anything except maybe what they want on their tombstones.

      Delete
    2. @BryanB, you mean the snarky, arrogant, prideful bunch over at FP? I could care less they claim to be "conservative Christians." God will not be mocked. There are two paths to hell: lawlessness AND LEGALISM. Notice that their arguments are simply along the lines of "how can you think that" and "you're stupid." Not exactly scholarly rebuttals.

      And, btw, there are quite a few over at FP that have chimed in to defend when I've shared articles.

      Delete
    3. Right on, Gary !

      Delete
    4. And Miguel P !

      Delete
    5. And Miguel P !

      Delete
    6. Miguel P, I agree !

      Delete
  51. One thing I learned from Chuck Missler is that the Holy Spirit has edited the Bible so that every detail is something God wants us to know. Based on that interpretation, I may have come across another passage that alludes to the pre-trib. rapture.

    When Jesus preaches to the crowd of thousands mentioned in Luke 12:1, he tells them a parable about a master and his servants:

    “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return FROM a wedding banquet." - Luke 12:35-36

    Jesus could have used any other type of event from which the master is returning, but he chose to use a wedding banquet. Peter seemed to have picked up on this, because after Jesus teaches this parable to the crowd, he says, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” (Luke 12:41).

    I’m sure there’s a lot that can be unpacked with this entire parable, but if I’m understanding this passage correctly, it’s as if Jesus is saying to a crowd of Jews that his return will occur AFTER a wedding banquet has taken place.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I am hoping someone can explain the error of thinking that the rapture could not occur at the 3 1/2 point in the middle of the tribulation (Jesus said we all will have tribulation) but before the wrath of God. It's beginning to look like all the signs are pointing to Daniel's 70th week beginning now or did at Rev. 12 sign, but that Rapture won't occur until 3 1/2 years....I don't know why this is not scriptural and need help understanding pre 7 years, vs. 3 1/2 years or mid tribe rapture. Thanks....Love this web site!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are many reasons, here are a few:

      1. God's wrath involves, at the very least, all 7 vials, all 7 trumpets, and the 6th and 7th seals, since the 6th seal includes unbelievers declaring that the the wrath of the Lamb has come. I've never seen any scholar harmonize the 6th seal with the middle of the Tribulation. It's always sometime before.

      That said, the first several seals involve profound judgment upon the whole earth, so it's always been a big stretch for me when people argue they are not part of God's wrath. 1/4th of the population killed, global pestilence and famine, etc, worldwide war, et al.

      2. The antichrist can't be revealed until the Restrainer is removed (2 Thess. 2:7). The AC strengthens the covenant for seven years in Dan. 9:27. He isn't revealed at the AOD, but 3.5+ years before.

      3. The male child is raptured (Rev. 12:5) *before* the dragon pursues the woman and *before* her labor pains begin. In Matthew 24 Jesus equates labor pains with the signs preceding the AOD. And the woman is only pursued for the first 3.5 years since she is in hiding during the Great Tribulation. No way to reconcile that with a mid-trib rapture.

      Delete
    2. Thank you Gary...this helps a lot! Be blessed!

      Delete


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