Fifteen Outstanding Facts that Prove
the Church Will Be Caught Away to
Meet the Lord in the Air Before
the Great Tribulation
By Rev A. F. Varnell
(C) 1956
In this study, we must find out what people constitute the Church. Is the Church made up of all of God's people from Adam to the end of the Kingdom Age? No, indeed! The Old Testament saints were not in the Church, which is the Body of Christ. The Old Testament saints are the friends, guests, and bridesmaids of the Bridegroom and the Bride.
John 3:29 “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.”
Heb 11:39-40 “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
The Church is a special "called out" people made up of both Jew and Gentile.
Eph 3:2-6 “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel”
It began on the day of Pentecost, when they were baptized by one Spirit into one body:
1 Cor 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
It is called "the body of Christ.
Col 1:24 “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:”
It ends with the "catching away."
1 Th 4:13-18 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
If God had a people before the church age began, He could certainly have another people after the Church is caught away.
PROOF ONE: THE GREAT TRIBULATION DOES NOT COME IN THE CHURCH AGE
Let us make a study of Daniel's seventy weeks in Daniel 9:24-27.
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
These weeks are weeks of years, seven years to a week, 490 years in all. These weeks are to be accomplished on Daniel's people, the Jews, and on Daniel's holy city, Jerusalem. We know that 69 of these weeks (483 years) have been fulfilled, for Jesus was crucified after the 69th week. We know that the 70th week has not been fulfilled for that which was to be accomplished during the 70 weeks has not come to pass.
According to verse 24, four things are yet to be accomplished:
(1) finish the transgression,
(2) make an end of sins (rebellion),
(3) bring in everlasting righteousness (millennium)
(4) seal up or complete vision and prophecy.
Over 1900 years have passed since the 69th week was fulfilled and these four things have not yet come to pass. What are these intervening 1900 years? Let the Apostle James answer this in Acts 15: 13-18.
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Also note Luke 13:34-35 where Jesus said to the Jews: "Behold your house (temple and kingdom) is left unto you desolate. . . ye shall not see me . . . until ye shall say, 'Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord (Jehovah)' ". The Jews' time clock was stopped right there - it has not ticked off any time since. After the church is taken out, and the Jews are established back in their land, the time clock will start again. There are only seven years left for these four things to be accomplished.
The 70th week is the Great Tribulation week. The church must be raptured before the 70th week can open as the church age comes between the 69th and the 70th week. The Kingdom age will follow the 70th week. We have had almost 2000 years since the 69th week was fulfilled and the Kingdom has not been set up -- it is yet to be accomplished.
PROOF TWO: THE CATCHING AWAY OF THE CHURCH (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Verse 14 says God will bring those who sleep in Jesus with Him when He comes (at Armageddon). Verses 15-18 show that He must first take them out of this world by the rapture before they can come with Him when He comes at Armageddon. Read 1 Thess. 4:14-18 in this light.
PROOF THREE: WE (THE CHURCH) ARE NOT APPOINTED UNTO WRATH
“But God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9). In the first eleven verses of this chapter, Paul draws a distinction between day and night. The night of the world is the tribulation week, but we are not of the night. The wrath of God which comes in the Great Tribulation period is described in the 16th chapter of Revelation. God will not pour His wrath upon His obedient children.
PROOF FOUR: THE HINDERER IS TO BE REMOVED (2 Thess. 2: 7)
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”
In this passage, the King James Version uses the words "letteth" and "let" which are obsolete terms in our day. The word "let" means "to restrain, impede or to hinder". Modern translators of the scriptures substitute the newer words, for example: "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed” (New Testament in Modern English by Montgomery). In 2 Thess. 2: 1-12 Paul is saying that the day of the Lord has not yet come. The day of the Lord is the Kingdom age, the thousand year day of the Lord.
2 Th 2:1-12 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Paul tells the church that four things must take place before the kingdom can be set up. We may list them as follows:
1. There must be a falling away.
2. The Man of Sin must be revealed.
3. The Man of Sin must establish His headquarters in the Jewish Temple that will be built (Dan. 11:45 and Matt. 24:15)
Dan 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
4. Before the Man of Sin can be revealed, there is a hinderer that must be removed, or taken out of the way. This hinderer is called "he" in verse 7. This hinderer can be none other than the church, for the church age must close before the tribulation week can open. Although the church is referred to as the "bride" of Christ, it is also called a "full grown man" in Ephesians 4: 13.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
There is no doubt but what the church is the "he" referred to in 2 Thess. 2: 7, for the church is the body of Christ and Christ is a man, therefore, the church is called "he" in this sense.
PROOF FIVE: THE APOSTLE PAUL LOOKED FOR THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH IN HIS DAY (1 Thess. 5:23)
1 Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul says to these Thessalonians, "I pray God your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". Do you think Paul was praying for these people to live 1900 years? No, he thought the rapture would come in his day. When Paul described the resurrection of the saints in 1 Thess. 4: 16, he is quick to add, (in Verse 17) "And we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air". The fact that he said "WE", lets us know that he expected to be among those alive at the rapture of the church.
The rapture of the Church has always been imminent since the Lord went away. Each generation has expected it in their day. That is the way Jesus taught. He said: "Watch, for ye know not what hour your Lord will come" (Matt 24:42). The Battle of Armageddon, and the setting up of the Kingdom has never been imminent. Certain prophecies must be fulfilled before the Kingdom can be set up. On the other hand, no prophecy has to be fulfilled before Jesus can come for His church. The rapture is imminent and could take place any time.
PROOF SIX: OUR BLESSED HOPE (Titus 2:11-14)
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
In these scriptures, Paul not only teaches to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world,” but he also teaches, that we should be looking for the coming of Jesus, which, he says, is our "blessed hope". John says, "This hope makes one purify himself'.(1 John 3:3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
No one could honestly say that he is looking for Jesus to come at this time to set up His Kingdom, as Rev. 19:11-21 pictures His coming.
Rev 19:11-21 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Many prophecies must be fulfilled before the Kingdom can be set up. And yet, Paul tells Titus to teach the people in his day to look for the coming of Jesus. Surely there is a difference in Jesus coming for His church, (1 Thess. 4:13-18) and coming with His Church. (Rev. 19:11-21).
PROOF SEVEN: JESUS IS COMING FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR HIM (Heb. 9:28)
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Here Paul contrasts Jesus' coming the first time to die as a sin offering to redeem the Church, and coming the second time to deliver from this world those He purchased with His death. He is coming for those who are looking for Him. If his only coming is at Armageddon Battle, to set up the Kingdom, then Paul would have said, "He is coming for those who are looking for him, after the prophecies are fulfilled so the Kingdom can be set up." Instead of saying that, He taught the Hebrews to look for His coming for the church at that time.
PROOF EIGHT: THE CHURCH IS TO BE KEPT FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION (Rev 3:10)
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
The hour of temptation is described as a time of trouble that shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. That time of trouble described here is the tribulation week. It is the time of Jacob's trouble. (Jer. 30:7).
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
God keeps us from that time of trouble by catching us up to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess. 4:17)
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.
PROOF NINE: THE TWENTY FOUR ELDERS ON THRONES IN HEAVEN (Rev. 4:1-4)
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Notice in Revelation, chapters two and three, John pictures the church age prophetically by describing the seven churches of Asia. In chapter four he says: "After this, (that is, after the church age had ended), I looked and, behold, a door was opened in Heaven." Notice the first voice John heard was a trumpet! Compare 1 Thess. 4: 16 which reads: "The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God". This scene is another picture of the rapture of the church. The voice of the trumpet, (in Rev. 4:1) said: "Come up hither". What could this be but the rapture? Then John goes on to give a picture of the scene in Heaven after the rapture.
Twenty-four Priests represented the entire Priesthood according to 1 Chronicles, 24th chapter. In like manner, these twenty-four elders in Rev. 4:4 represent the entire church! They represent people who are redeemed to God by the blood of Jesus out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. They were made Kings and Priests and shall reign on the earth. (Rev. 5:8-10) That is exactly what the raptured church will do.
Rev 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
These elders did not go through the tribulation (Rev. 7:9-14). Revelation 7:11 proves these elders were not angels - they can only represent the raptured church.
Rev 7:9-14 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
PROOF TEN: THE CHURCH IS IN HEAVEN DURING THE TRIBULATION WEEK (Rev. 4:1-4)
John sees a vision of the throne of God in Heaven. Around about the throne he saw twenty-four elders clothed. in white raiment. In Rev. 19:11-14, the Lord comes with His army which were in heaven and they were clothed in "fine linen, white and clean".
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The white raiment proves the elders of Rev. 4:4 and the army of Rev. 19:14 are the same company. The white raiment represents the righteousness of Christ transferred from Him to us.
The tribulation period comes between Chapters 4 and 19. The Church was not on earth during that time. Zech. 14:5 and Jude 1:14 say the Lord comes with his saints.
Zec 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Paul says, "Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. (1 Thess. 3: 13 and 4:14).
1 Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1 Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
All this proves there is a difference in the Lord coming for His church and coming with His Church.
PROOF ELEVEN: JOSEPH WAS A TYPE OF JESUS
Joseph was rejected by his brethren and sold into Egypt. He married a
Gentile Bride before the famine in Egypt which was a type of the tribulation week (Gen. 41:45). The famine in Egypt was 7 years, a type of the tribulation which will last 7 years.
Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Jesus was also rejected by His brethren (the Jews). He was sold by Judas. He takes a Gentile Bride - the Church (see Acts 15:13-18), which must be before the tribulation week, to make the type good.
Acts 15:13-18 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
PROOF TWELVE: MOSES WAS A TYPE OF CHRIST
Moses took his bride, a Gentile, after his rejection by his brethren and before they passed through the tribulation under Pharaoh (Ex. 2: 16-21).
Exo 2:16-21 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
When Moses went back to Egypt to deliver his brethren (the Jews), he took his Gentile wife along (Ex. 4: 19-20).
And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life. And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
When Jesus comes back to deliver His brethren (the Jews) at the battle of Armageddon, He will bring His bride (the Church) with Him (Rev. 19:11-14).
Rev 19:11-14 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
PROOF THIRTEEN: ENOCH WAS A TYPE OF THE TRANSLATED CHURCH (Gen. 5:23-24)
Gen 5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Enoch, "who walked with God and "was not", was translated before the flood recorded in Genesis, Chapters 6-8. The flood is a type of the Great Tribulation. Noah and his family who went through the flood, are a type of the tribulation saints. For the tribulation saints, see Revelation, 7th chapter. Enoch went out, Noah went through. Which one do you want to follow?
PROOF FOURTEEN: SOME WILL BE COUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE (Luke 21:36)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
In verses 25-28, Jesus describes conditions that will exist during the tribulation week.
Luke 21:25-28 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; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Verse 27 says, "And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory". Matthew 24:27 says: "For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be". This coming is also described in Rev. 19:11-16. At this coming, the Church comes with Him out of Heaven.
Rev 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
PROOF THIRTEEN: ENOCH WAS A TYPE OF THE TRANSLATED CHURCH (Gen. 5:23-24)
Gen 5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Enoch, "who walked with God and "was not", was translated before the flood recorded in Genesis, Chapters 6-8. The flood is a type of the Great Tribulation. Noah and his family who went through the flood, are a type of the tribulation saints. For the tribulation saints, see Revelation, 7th chapter. Enoch went out, Noah went through. Which one do you want to follow?
PROOF FOURTEEN: SOME WILL BE COUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE (Luke 21:36)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
In verses 25-28, Jesus describes conditions that will exist during the tribulation week.
Luke 21:25-28 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; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Verse 27 says, "And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory". Matthew 24:27 says: "For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be". This coming is also described in Rev. 19:11-16. At this coming, the Church comes with Him out of Heaven.
Rev 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The Rapture is a secret coming. No one will know but the Church (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
1 Th 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
When Jesus said, "Pray that ye will be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass”, He was talking about escaping the tribulation week (Luke 21: 36).
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
PROOF FIFTEEN: ANOTHER OUTSTANDING FACT
When Jesus comes for His Church, that will end the Church Age. When He comes with His Church, He ends the Gentile Age. The Gentile Age began 606 B.C., while the Church Age did not start until A.D. 33, at least 639 years later. Real Bible students know that the Church Age will end at least 7 years before the Gentile Age ends. We do not know how much sooner, as the Rapture of the Church is imminent, that is, it may take place at any time.
THE DANGER OF SAYING "MY LORD DELAYETH HIS COMING" (Matt. 24:48)
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
You often hear these words, "The Church is not ready, therefore, the Lord cannot come now.” There has never been a time in the history of the Church that the Church was not ready. There have always been professors who are not ready and there always will be. But God has always had a Church that is ready.
SOME SAY THERE MUST BE A BIG REVIV AL BEFORE JESUS CAN COME.
All of these things are saying, "My Lord delayeth His coming". There is not one thing that must take place before the Lord can come for His Church. WATCH THEREFORE: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matt 24:42)
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED
SOME OBJECT TO THIS TEACHING BECAUSE it teaches two future comings of Jesus and they say the Bible teaches only one. The truth is, the Bible does teach two future comings of Jesus. One coming is for His Church (1 Thess. 4:14-18); the other coming is with His Church, when He comes to deliver Israel and to set up His Kingdom at Armageddon battle (Rev. 19:11-21). One coming is secret, to catch His Church away. The other coming is visible, when every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:7, Matt. 24:27, and Rev. 19:11-21).
Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
ANOTHER OBJECTION IS that Jesus comes at the last trump. The objectors to this teaching say the last trump of 1 Cor. 15:51-52 is the seventh trump of Rev. 11:15. A careful study will show they have no connection whatever.
1 Cor 15:51-52 Behold, I show 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 trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
The Bible reveals the fact that trumpets were blown for all kinds of occasions. God blew a trumpet loud and long before He gave the law (Ex. 19: 13-16; 20:18).
Exo 19:13-16 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
Exo 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
For the different purposes of trumpet blowing, read Numbers 10:2-10.
Num 10:2-10 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
Preaching is called trumpet blowing in Isaiah 58:1.
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Trumpet blowing is likened unto preaching in Ezek 33:1-7.
Ezek 33:1-7 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
In Zech 9:14, the Lord God Himself blows a trumpet.
And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Trumpets were blown for war. (Numbers 10:9)
And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
They were also blown for feasts. (Num 10:10)
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
Israel had a feast called the “feast of trumpets.” (Lev. 23: 23-24)
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
The tribulation trumpets were judgment trumpets sounded by angels (Rev 8:2)
And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
The last church trump of 1 Cor. 15:51,52 is the trump of God, blown by the Lord, himself. (1 Thess. 4:16 and Rev 4:1)
1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Also notice that 1 Cor. 15 was written A.D. 59 while Revelation was not written until A.D. 96, 37 years later. Paul could not have been talking about the seventh trump of Revelation for those trumps had not been revealed when Paul wrote the Corinthian letter.
THE OBJECTORS TO THIS TEACHING ALSO SAY that the Bible says Jesus will come after the tribulation (Matt. 24:29-30), while this teaching says He will come before.
Matt 24:29-30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
True, Jesus does come after the tribulation when He comes with His saints (Rev. 19:11-21). HOWEVER, He must come for His saints before He can come with them (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
FINALLY, CERTAIN OBJECTORS TO THIS TEACHING point out that the saints are in the tribulation. The seventh chapter of Revelation tells how the tribulation saints started. Of all the tribes of the Children of Israel, 144,000 were sealed. They made converts of the heathen world to the extent that they had a multitude that no man could number of all kindreds, tribes, tongues and people. Then we find the Beast making war with these saints in Rev. 13:7.
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.
These saints are for the purpose of populating the earth when the Kingdom is set up. They are made during the tribulation week. The Church saints are called out to be the bride of Christ and to populate the New Jerusalem with spiritual bodies. God had saints before the Church Age began. He will also have saints after the Church Age ends. Not all saints that are spoken of in the Bible are in the Church which is the body of Christ.
(C) 1956
In this study, we must find out what people constitute the Church. Is the Church made up of all of God's people from Adam to the end of the Kingdom Age? No, indeed! The Old Testament saints were not in the Church, which is the Body of Christ. The Old Testament saints are the friends, guests, and bridesmaids of the Bridegroom and the Bride.
John 3:29 “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.”
Heb 11:39-40 “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
The Church is a special "called out" people made up of both Jew and Gentile.
Eph 3:2-6 “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel”
It began on the day of Pentecost, when they were baptized by one Spirit into one body:
1 Cor 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
It is called "the body of Christ.
Col 1:24 “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:”
It ends with the "catching away."
1 Th 4:13-18 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
If God had a people before the church age began, He could certainly have another people after the Church is caught away.
PROOF ONE: THE GREAT TRIBULATION DOES NOT COME IN THE CHURCH AGE
Let us make a study of Daniel's seventy weeks in Daniel 9:24-27.
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
These weeks are weeks of years, seven years to a week, 490 years in all. These weeks are to be accomplished on Daniel's people, the Jews, and on Daniel's holy city, Jerusalem. We know that 69 of these weeks (483 years) have been fulfilled, for Jesus was crucified after the 69th week. We know that the 70th week has not been fulfilled for that which was to be accomplished during the 70 weeks has not come to pass.
According to verse 24, four things are yet to be accomplished:
(1) finish the transgression,
(2) make an end of sins (rebellion),
(3) bring in everlasting righteousness (millennium)
(4) seal up or complete vision and prophecy.
Over 1900 years have passed since the 69th week was fulfilled and these four things have not yet come to pass. What are these intervening 1900 years? Let the Apostle James answer this in Acts 15: 13-18.
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Also note Luke 13:34-35 where Jesus said to the Jews: "Behold your house (temple and kingdom) is left unto you desolate. . . ye shall not see me . . . until ye shall say, 'Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord (Jehovah)' ". The Jews' time clock was stopped right there - it has not ticked off any time since. After the church is taken out, and the Jews are established back in their land, the time clock will start again. There are only seven years left for these four things to be accomplished.
The 70th week is the Great Tribulation week. The church must be raptured before the 70th week can open as the church age comes between the 69th and the 70th week. The Kingdom age will follow the 70th week. We have had almost 2000 years since the 69th week was fulfilled and the Kingdom has not been set up -- it is yet to be accomplished.
PROOF TWO: THE CATCHING AWAY OF THE CHURCH (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Verse 14 says God will bring those who sleep in Jesus with Him when He comes (at Armageddon). Verses 15-18 show that He must first take them out of this world by the rapture before they can come with Him when He comes at Armageddon. Read 1 Thess. 4:14-18 in this light.
PROOF THREE: WE (THE CHURCH) ARE NOT APPOINTED UNTO WRATH
“But God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9). In the first eleven verses of this chapter, Paul draws a distinction between day and night. The night of the world is the tribulation week, but we are not of the night. The wrath of God which comes in the Great Tribulation period is described in the 16th chapter of Revelation. God will not pour His wrath upon His obedient children.
PROOF FOUR: THE HINDERER IS TO BE REMOVED (2 Thess. 2: 7)
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”
In this passage, the King James Version uses the words "letteth" and "let" which are obsolete terms in our day. The word "let" means "to restrain, impede or to hinder". Modern translators of the scriptures substitute the newer words, for example: "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed” (New Testament in Modern English by Montgomery). In 2 Thess. 2: 1-12 Paul is saying that the day of the Lord has not yet come. The day of the Lord is the Kingdom age, the thousand year day of the Lord.
2 Th 2:1-12 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Paul tells the church that four things must take place before the kingdom can be set up. We may list them as follows:
1. There must be a falling away.
2. The Man of Sin must be revealed.
3. The Man of Sin must establish His headquarters in the Jewish Temple that will be built (Dan. 11:45 and Matt. 24:15)
Dan 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
4. Before the Man of Sin can be revealed, there is a hinderer that must be removed, or taken out of the way. This hinderer is called "he" in verse 7. This hinderer can be none other than the church, for the church age must close before the tribulation week can open. Although the church is referred to as the "bride" of Christ, it is also called a "full grown man" in Ephesians 4: 13.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
There is no doubt but what the church is the "he" referred to in 2 Thess. 2: 7, for the church is the body of Christ and Christ is a man, therefore, the church is called "he" in this sense.
PROOF FIVE: THE APOSTLE PAUL LOOKED FOR THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH IN HIS DAY (1 Thess. 5:23)
1 Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul says to these Thessalonians, "I pray God your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". Do you think Paul was praying for these people to live 1900 years? No, he thought the rapture would come in his day. When Paul described the resurrection of the saints in 1 Thess. 4: 16, he is quick to add, (in Verse 17) "And we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air". The fact that he said "WE", lets us know that he expected to be among those alive at the rapture of the church.
The rapture of the Church has always been imminent since the Lord went away. Each generation has expected it in their day. That is the way Jesus taught. He said: "Watch, for ye know not what hour your Lord will come" (Matt 24:42). The Battle of Armageddon, and the setting up of the Kingdom has never been imminent. Certain prophecies must be fulfilled before the Kingdom can be set up. On the other hand, no prophecy has to be fulfilled before Jesus can come for His church. The rapture is imminent and could take place any time.
PROOF SIX: OUR BLESSED HOPE (Titus 2:11-14)
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
In these scriptures, Paul not only teaches to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world,” but he also teaches, that we should be looking for the coming of Jesus, which, he says, is our "blessed hope". John says, "This hope makes one purify himself'.(1 John 3:3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
No one could honestly say that he is looking for Jesus to come at this time to set up His Kingdom, as Rev. 19:11-21 pictures His coming.
Rev 19:11-21 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Many prophecies must be fulfilled before the Kingdom can be set up. And yet, Paul tells Titus to teach the people in his day to look for the coming of Jesus. Surely there is a difference in Jesus coming for His church, (1 Thess. 4:13-18) and coming with His Church. (Rev. 19:11-21).
PROOF SEVEN: JESUS IS COMING FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR HIM (Heb. 9:28)
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Here Paul contrasts Jesus' coming the first time to die as a sin offering to redeem the Church, and coming the second time to deliver from this world those He purchased with His death. He is coming for those who are looking for Him. If his only coming is at Armageddon Battle, to set up the Kingdom, then Paul would have said, "He is coming for those who are looking for him, after the prophecies are fulfilled so the Kingdom can be set up." Instead of saying that, He taught the Hebrews to look for His coming for the church at that time.
PROOF EIGHT: THE CHURCH IS TO BE KEPT FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION (Rev 3:10)
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
The hour of temptation is described as a time of trouble that shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. That time of trouble described here is the tribulation week. It is the time of Jacob's trouble. (Jer. 30:7).
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
God keeps us from that time of trouble by catching us up to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess. 4:17)
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.
PROOF NINE: THE TWENTY FOUR ELDERS ON THRONES IN HEAVEN (Rev. 4:1-4)
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Notice in Revelation, chapters two and three, John pictures the church age prophetically by describing the seven churches of Asia. In chapter four he says: "After this, (that is, after the church age had ended), I looked and, behold, a door was opened in Heaven." Notice the first voice John heard was a trumpet! Compare 1 Thess. 4: 16 which reads: "The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God". This scene is another picture of the rapture of the church. The voice of the trumpet, (in Rev. 4:1) said: "Come up hither". What could this be but the rapture? Then John goes on to give a picture of the scene in Heaven after the rapture.
Twenty-four Priests represented the entire Priesthood according to 1 Chronicles, 24th chapter. In like manner, these twenty-four elders in Rev. 4:4 represent the entire church! They represent people who are redeemed to God by the blood of Jesus out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. They were made Kings and Priests and shall reign on the earth. (Rev. 5:8-10) That is exactly what the raptured church will do.
Rev 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
These elders did not go through the tribulation (Rev. 7:9-14). Revelation 7:11 proves these elders were not angels - they can only represent the raptured church.
Rev 7:9-14 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
PROOF TEN: THE CHURCH IS IN HEAVEN DURING THE TRIBULATION WEEK (Rev. 4:1-4)
John sees a vision of the throne of God in Heaven. Around about the throne he saw twenty-four elders clothed. in white raiment. In Rev. 19:11-14, the Lord comes with His army which were in heaven and they were clothed in "fine linen, white and clean".
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The white raiment proves the elders of Rev. 4:4 and the army of Rev. 19:14 are the same company. The white raiment represents the righteousness of Christ transferred from Him to us.
The tribulation period comes between Chapters 4 and 19. The Church was not on earth during that time. Zech. 14:5 and Jude 1:14 say the Lord comes with his saints.
Zec 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Paul says, "Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. (1 Thess. 3: 13 and 4:14).
1 Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1 Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
All this proves there is a difference in the Lord coming for His church and coming with His Church.
PROOF ELEVEN: JOSEPH WAS A TYPE OF JESUS
Joseph was rejected by his brethren and sold into Egypt. He married a
Gentile Bride before the famine in Egypt which was a type of the tribulation week (Gen. 41:45). The famine in Egypt was 7 years, a type of the tribulation which will last 7 years.
Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Jesus was also rejected by His brethren (the Jews). He was sold by Judas. He takes a Gentile Bride - the Church (see Acts 15:13-18), which must be before the tribulation week, to make the type good.
Acts 15:13-18 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
PROOF TWELVE: MOSES WAS A TYPE OF CHRIST
Moses took his bride, a Gentile, after his rejection by his brethren and before they passed through the tribulation under Pharaoh (Ex. 2: 16-21).
Exo 2:16-21 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
When Moses went back to Egypt to deliver his brethren (the Jews), he took his Gentile wife along (Ex. 4: 19-20).
And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life. And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
When Jesus comes back to deliver His brethren (the Jews) at the battle of Armageddon, He will bring His bride (the Church) with Him (Rev. 19:11-14).
Rev 19:11-14 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
PROOF THIRTEEN: ENOCH WAS A TYPE OF THE TRANSLATED CHURCH (Gen. 5:23-24)
Gen 5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Enoch, "who walked with God and "was not", was translated before the flood recorded in Genesis, Chapters 6-8. The flood is a type of the Great Tribulation. Noah and his family who went through the flood, are a type of the tribulation saints. For the tribulation saints, see Revelation, 7th chapter. Enoch went out, Noah went through. Which one do you want to follow?
PROOF FOURTEEN: SOME WILL BE COUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE (Luke 21:36)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
In verses 25-28, Jesus describes conditions that will exist during the tribulation week.
Luke 21:25-28 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; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Verse 27 says, "And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory". Matthew 24:27 says: "For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be". This coming is also described in Rev. 19:11-16. At this coming, the Church comes with Him out of Heaven.
Rev 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
PROOF THIRTEEN: ENOCH WAS A TYPE OF THE TRANSLATED CHURCH (Gen. 5:23-24)
Gen 5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Enoch, "who walked with God and "was not", was translated before the flood recorded in Genesis, Chapters 6-8. The flood is a type of the Great Tribulation. Noah and his family who went through the flood, are a type of the tribulation saints. For the tribulation saints, see Revelation, 7th chapter. Enoch went out, Noah went through. Which one do you want to follow?
PROOF FOURTEEN: SOME WILL BE COUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE (Luke 21:36)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
In verses 25-28, Jesus describes conditions that will exist during the tribulation week.
Luke 21:25-28 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; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Verse 27 says, "And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory". Matthew 24:27 says: "For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be". This coming is also described in Rev. 19:11-16. At this coming, the Church comes with Him out of Heaven.
Rev 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The Rapture is a secret coming. No one will know but the Church (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
1 Th 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
When Jesus said, "Pray that ye will be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass”, He was talking about escaping the tribulation week (Luke 21: 36).
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
PROOF FIFTEEN: ANOTHER OUTSTANDING FACT
When Jesus comes for His Church, that will end the Church Age. When He comes with His Church, He ends the Gentile Age. The Gentile Age began 606 B.C., while the Church Age did not start until A.D. 33, at least 639 years later. Real Bible students know that the Church Age will end at least 7 years before the Gentile Age ends. We do not know how much sooner, as the Rapture of the Church is imminent, that is, it may take place at any time.
THE DANGER OF SAYING "MY LORD DELAYETH HIS COMING" (Matt. 24:48)
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
You often hear these words, "The Church is not ready, therefore, the Lord cannot come now.” There has never been a time in the history of the Church that the Church was not ready. There have always been professors who are not ready and there always will be. But God has always had a Church that is ready.
SOME SAY THERE MUST BE A BIG REVIV AL BEFORE JESUS CAN COME.
All of these things are saying, "My Lord delayeth His coming". There is not one thing that must take place before the Lord can come for His Church. WATCH THEREFORE: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matt 24:42)
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED
SOME OBJECT TO THIS TEACHING BECAUSE it teaches two future comings of Jesus and they say the Bible teaches only one. The truth is, the Bible does teach two future comings of Jesus. One coming is for His Church (1 Thess. 4:14-18); the other coming is with His Church, when He comes to deliver Israel and to set up His Kingdom at Armageddon battle (Rev. 19:11-21). One coming is secret, to catch His Church away. The other coming is visible, when every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:7, Matt. 24:27, and Rev. 19:11-21).
Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
ANOTHER OBJECTION IS that Jesus comes at the last trump. The objectors to this teaching say the last trump of 1 Cor. 15:51-52 is the seventh trump of Rev. 11:15. A careful study will show they have no connection whatever.
1 Cor 15:51-52 Behold, I show 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 trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
The Bible reveals the fact that trumpets were blown for all kinds of occasions. God blew a trumpet loud and long before He gave the law (Ex. 19: 13-16; 20:18).
Exo 19:13-16 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
Exo 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
For the different purposes of trumpet blowing, read Numbers 10:2-10.
Num 10:2-10 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
Preaching is called trumpet blowing in Isaiah 58:1.
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Trumpet blowing is likened unto preaching in Ezek 33:1-7.
Ezek 33:1-7 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
In Zech 9:14, the Lord God Himself blows a trumpet.
And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Trumpets were blown for war. (Numbers 10:9)
And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
They were also blown for feasts. (Num 10:10)
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
Israel had a feast called the “feast of trumpets.” (Lev. 23: 23-24)
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
The tribulation trumpets were judgment trumpets sounded by angels (Rev 8:2)
And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
The last church trump of 1 Cor. 15:51,52 is the trump of God, blown by the Lord, himself. (1 Thess. 4:16 and Rev 4:1)
1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Also notice that 1 Cor. 15 was written A.D. 59 while Revelation was not written until A.D. 96, 37 years later. Paul could not have been talking about the seventh trump of Revelation for those trumps had not been revealed when Paul wrote the Corinthian letter.
THE OBJECTORS TO THIS TEACHING ALSO SAY that the Bible says Jesus will come after the tribulation (Matt. 24:29-30), while this teaching says He will come before.
Matt 24:29-30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
True, Jesus does come after the tribulation when He comes with His saints (Rev. 19:11-21). HOWEVER, He must come for His saints before He can come with them (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
FINALLY, CERTAIN OBJECTORS TO THIS TEACHING point out that the saints are in the tribulation. The seventh chapter of Revelation tells how the tribulation saints started. Of all the tribes of the Children of Israel, 144,000 were sealed. They made converts of the heathen world to the extent that they had a multitude that no man could number of all kindreds, tribes, tongues and people. Then we find the Beast making war with these saints in Rev. 13:7.
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.
These saints are for the purpose of populating the earth when the Kingdom is set up. They are made during the tribulation week. The Church saints are called out to be the bride of Christ and to populate the New Jerusalem with spiritual bodies. God had saints before the Church Age began. He will also have saints after the Church Age ends. Not all saints that are spoken of in the Bible are in the Church which is the body of Christ.