Values-Driven

Here is a response to a discussion topic on our new facebook group here.

Alright. Cindy gets a discussion going on a very controversial subject and then asks me to clean it up:-). Gotta love her. Alright then.

Well, this subject is quite controversial. However, a clear understanding of the end time events is paramount to properly preparing our families both spiritually and logistically for the events that could very well be imminent. Now I am strongly convicted that Scripture is rather clear as to existence and timing of the gathering of the elect (rapture), and all evidence points to us being here to the end. Now I know this position is neither romantic or desirable—it certainly doesn’t sell books—however, the truth is the truth.

Now many conclude that God could not possibly leave the saints here for the time of His wrath, because it goes against His nature. Well, the early church suffered persecution (they weren’t taken away during the fall of Jerusalem), nor were the Saints taken away for the communist revolutions last century). Consider for a second that the Hebrews were contempories in time, yet not in space during the plagues of Egypt. Revelation does have reference of folks being singled out (based on seals and marks) during the great trib. We may be here and protected—or maybe not. However, there is hope.

Likewise, I wish I was in ere on this one, and gladly will take the free ride out of here; but if you folks clinging to the ride out are wrong, you will be very ill-prepared and quite disappointed if you are wrong. Therefore, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!

Now for the biblical evidence. The key passages are Matthew 24, 1Thes 4:13-18, 2 Thes 2, Revelation 6, 7, and 10, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Daniel 11:31-35 and Chapter 12, and Luke 21:8-11. Matthew 24 has parallels in Mark 13 and Luke 21:10-36.

Here I will deal with the timing issue. I have a great little Bible study on the subject I have taught in our church if you are interested. It’s in Word—email me if you want it. It is rough because it is just my notes, but has all the verses and some good questions to consider.

For starters, simply read Jesus’ treatment of the end times in Matthew 24:1-29 and list the eight key events that occur:
1. antichrist
2. war
3. famine
4. earthquake
5. martyrdom
6. sun dark
7. moon dark
8. stars fall from sky
9. heavenly bodies shaken

Now compare to the first six seals in Revelation 6:
1. antichrist
2. war
3. inflation and famine
4. earthquake
5. pestilence (or plague)
6. wild beasts
7. martyrs mentioned
8. sun dark
9. moon as blood
10. stars fall from sky
11. sky receded, rolling up, and mountains and islands removed

The Luke 21:8-11 parallel covers the missing items: pestilence and wild beasts=fearful things. No coincidence here.

Then note that Jesus refers to these events as the “great tribulation:” the worst we have ever seen or will ever see—EVER! Jesus relates the subject to Daniel, and Daniel 12:1 uses the same imagery. Jesus clearly says the time will be shortened because of the elect in verse 24:22, and Daniel says why we are to remain in verses 11:32 and 12:10.

Now, to debunk the pre-trib rapture: read verse 24:29. When? Immediately AFTER the “TRIBULATION” we will see the following occuring:
1. Son of Man (Jesus)
2. angels
3. elect gathered
4. trumpet
5. four winds—one end of the heavens to the other

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. What elements do we see in this passage?
1. Jesus from heaven
2. trumpet
3. loud command
4. voice of archangel
5. elect gathered

Read the parallel in Mark 13:27. Elect gathered from the four corners of earth and heavens. These refer to one event!

Now, as far as the timing. Read 2 Thes 2. Paul encouraged the saints to tell them that the rapture had NOT occurred yet, since the man of lawlessness had not yet been revealed. Therefore, the return of Christ and gathering of the elect (which Paul alludes to as being one event) would occur AFTER anti-Christ is revealed.

Lastly, the Bible gives us an EXACT, specific timing of the rapture in 1 Cor 15:51-52: AT THE LAST TRUMPET! Revelation 6 has 7 seals, the last one being 7 trumpets. Revelation 10:7 is “at the last trumpet.” In that verse, it says the “mystery” (referred to in 1 Cor 15:51) is ACCOMPLISHED, as foretold by the prophets (Paul).

Now let’s stop with the hermeneutical gymnastics and take the Scripture at face value. It’s actually pretty straightforward. I would be glad to deal with the more subtle aspects of the rapture, but wanted to keep it simple, and to the point.

Read, study, pray, and allow the Spirit to reveal these things.

Much agape,

Marc Carrier

Ps. a follow up message on preparation is coming