The Rapture of the Church

Daniel 9:27........ Daniel predicts a time in which someone will be in the Temple and will cause the sacrifice to end and will make desolate with an abomination. He is referring to the "Abomination of Desolation".

Matthew 24:1-31........ Here we get to see how Jesus understood what Daniel meant. Jesus even quotes from Daniel as proof of what he is saying. The interesting thing here is that Jesus sketches the entire course of the endtimes concerning the events leading up too and are a part of the Tribulation. He mentions deceptions, rumors of wars, false christs, earthquakes, pestilence, famine, nations rising against nations, etc. Then he comes to the "Abomination of Desolation" spoken of by Daniel. Jesus here is speaking to his disciples and he says, "when you shall see". He gives no hint whatsoever of the thought that we won't be here at that time. He doesn't even mention his coming until verse 29-31, and he says that it is "Immediately after the Tribulation.....". He says that we will see the abomination of desolation.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-8........ How did Paul understand Jesus' teaching concerning the "Abomination of Desolation"? Well in verses 3-5 he gives the indication that he agrees with Jesus and Daniel that we will see it happen. As a matter of fact, Paul says that our "gathering together" cant even happen until the Anti-Christ is revealed!! Funny thing here: Paul refers to it as a "gathering together". Jesus said the same thing in Matt. 24:31. That his angels will gather together his "elect". When? After the Tribulation! verse 29. Who are the "elect"? Check out Romans 8:33; Col. 3:12; and Titus 1:1.

So it appears that Daniel, Jesus, and Paul are in agreement

Some other verses

2 Thessalonians 1: 1-10........ Here the Thessalonians have been undergoing persecution. Paul writes to encourage them in the faith. Notice when Paul says they will receive "rest" from trouble. Verse 7-8 says it will be when Jesus comes back in "flaming fire taking vengeance". That is what happens at the coming of Christ after the Tribulation. So Paul says here that we will not receive rest from persecution and tribulations until Christ's coming after the Tribulation. Not a "secret" coming before hand.

1 Corinthians 15: 50-52........ The significance of the resurrection is that according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the rapture of believers won't happen until the dead are raised first. Therefore, if you can locate or place the resurrection in the scheme of events, you automatically know when the rapture will take place. Notice when Paul says the resurrection (when the dead in Christ will be raised and given their new bodies) will take place: "at the last trump". Now whatever the "last" trump is, we know for sure what its not. Its not the first. So what is meant by the "last trump"? I think it refers to Revelation 11: 15-19. This is the last trumpet mentioned in relation to the coming of Christ. There are six other ones before it. What happens here? He mentions the fact that the "kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of his Christ", the wrath of God, the resurrection, and the judgments. All of this happens after the tribulation.

Revelation 20: 4-6........ Here we see the resurrection and who will participate. Notice in verse 4 he mentions things that happen in the Tribulation, the folks who have given their life for Jesus during that time. In verse 6 he says that this is the "first resurrection". John says here that those who die in the Tribulation will take part in the "first resurrection". How could this be if it happened at the beginning of the Trib??? So, if those who die in the Tribulation are in the "first resurrection" then it must be after the Trib. If the resurrection happens after the Trib, then the rapture must also.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15

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