THE READINESS RAPTURE: It's not just another rapture theory

[rollinTHUNDER]

This may seem kind of strange to some, but when I got saved in the summer of 1989, the Lord told me I was going to write, even though I wasn’t even a writer then. I’ll spare you the long story of how it all began, but for those who want to know, you can read all about it in the Introduction of my book, “Who Will Be Ready When the Trumpet Sounds?” Just click on the book image at amazon and you can read the Introduction and a few pages of the first chapter for free. Yes, it may seem strange, nevertheless, many years later I would go on to publish a Christian book, which really isn’t that uncommon. But what is really odd, even to me, is that my book also contains a brand new rapture theory that just seems to have developed accidentally. I mean, it was never my intention to create a new rapture theory. It just seemed to happen somehow, when I was breaking down the scriptures and writing my commentary in my manuscript, which took me seven years.
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It seems that I’m arriving very late to the rapture debate, but this is my calling nonetheless. Many have grown weary of the rapture issue of late, as it’s become very controversial these days. Some even try avoid this subject altogether by proclaiming a belief in a so-called pan-theory, saying that it will all pan out in the end – end of subject. No doubt, it will all certainly pan out, but that, in my view, is just a cop-out. This is not a subject that Christians should be trying to avoid, not when Christ repeatedly warned us to keep watch and be ready, saying His coming will occur when we least expect it. He also gave us signs and seasons so that we might know when His coming is near. But what a shame it is that many churches these days avoid this subject like the plague, and most of them are fast asleep.
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I can’t prove that God told me I was going to write, so I won’t even try. There’s no need to prove that. As they often say, “The proof is in the pudding.” Soon you’ll see that the Readiness Rapture theory is very different indeed. The only reason I call it a theory, though, is because it hasn’t happened yet. You’re about to discover, in this blog post, without reading my book, what sets my theory apart from all others. I highly doubt that God would call me to just echo what other scholars are saying, so my message should be very different, groundbreaking, and even revolutionary, not to be confused with popular. I don’t want to say too much about the other more established theories, but I will explain one grave error they have all made regarding Matthew 24.
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Now let’s take a brief look at the two most popular rapture theories. Pre-tribulation rapture scholars created the popular Left Behind series. They believe Matthew 24 only relates to the physical second coming of Christ, not the rapture. They believe Matt. 24 speaks to Israel or the Jews only, not the Church. On the other hand, Post-tribulation scholars believe Matt. 24 relates to both the rapture and the second coming, and that both events will happen on the same day. I disagree with both positions above, but I’d give post-tribbers some credit for recognizing the rapture and that it occurs after the tribulation; but they are incorrect about the second coming in Matt. 24. In my view, there’s no second coming in Matt. 24, only the rapture. I’ll say it again. The appearing of the sign of the Son of man is the rapture only, not His physical second coming to the earth. This is not only what I believe, but I can also prove it.
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The grave mistake that scholars have made regarding Matthew 24 is that they have all reached their conclusions after reading only half of the text. They all believe Matt. 24 is the second coming, but it’s only the sign of His coming, not His actual second coming to the earth. If only they had read Christs’ entire answer, they might have discovered this truth hundreds of years ago. You see, His disciples didn’t just ask Him about the sign of His coming only, but also about end of the age as well (Matt. 24:3). But Christ’s answer did not end at the end of chapter 24, where most scholars end their study. His answer ended at the end of chapter 25 instead, where He actually told us about His second coming/end of the age. The trouble is that Christ included a very complex series of parables in between, which has been a stumbling-block to scholars for nearly two millennia. To fully understand His answer we must correctly interpret not just one, but all of these parables, and only then can we finally see His grand design.
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Matthew 24:3 (KJV) – “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
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One of the things I’ve discovered is that Christ actually told us about both events, the rapture and the second coming. Verse (31) is a key verse in both chapters, and we should never lose sight of this groundbreaking revelation.
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Matthew 24:31 = Rapture
Matthew 25:31 = Second coming/end of the age
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Hopefully, this discovery will end the rapture/second coming debate regarding Matthew 24. But still, the parables in between these two verses have been a stumbling block that has baffled scholars for nearly 2000 years. In fact, most Christians disregard Christ’s teaching altogether, believing instead that Paul was the one who actually introduced us to the mysterious rapture, but that is not exactly true. The truth is that Paul was the first to reveal this mystery to Gentile believers. But Christ had already taught this mystery to His disciples, even though they were slow to understand it all, because He told them about it before they had received the Holy Spirit. He told them that He was going away to His Father’s house to prepare a place for them, and that He would come again and receive them to Himself…And Matthew 24 and 25 filled in the rest of the blanks.
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John 14:2-3 (KJV) – “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
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Now I’m not trying to minimize Paul’s part in this mystery, not in the least. He added some very important clues as well, when he was discussing the resurrection. And when all of the clues are added together collectively, it is then that we can finally see the big picture. Paul gave us random clues about this mystery, but it was none other than Christ, Himself, that laid it all out for everyone to see, even though we have failed to see it all these years. This mystery has remained unsolved all these years because of all the parables He used in His layout. In some of His other parables, He would sometimes give His disciples the interpretation, but not in these parables about the sign of His coming and the end of the age. No, He left this series of parables for us to figure out, even though no one would for nearly 2000 years. No doubt, it was impossible to solve this mystery by reading chapter 24 alone, so I’m glad I was led to keep going.
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Now that we’ve established that Christ told us about both the rapture and the second coming, with several parables in between, what is the significance of these parables? In my book I gave a complete breakdown and interpretation of these puzzling parables, but that took up three (3) entire chapters, so I won’t be able to do that in this short post. I will, however, tell you what these parables represent and what they mean, but let me warn you, this is revolutionary as it changes everything. Discovering the second coming and the end of the age in Matthew 25 was huge, but then He gave me the insight to finally understand these parables, and it totally blew my mind!
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So His second coming is actually in Matthew 25, where Christ will actually return to judge the nations. However, before He can judge the nations, He must first judge the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17-18), and this is what we see in the parables in between His appearing and His second coming (judgment seat of Christ). In fact, the rapture and second coming are both judgments. The apostle Paul briefly told us about the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10), but he failed to give us any clues about it whatsoever. Nor did he tell us when or where the judgment seat of Christ would be held.
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1 Peter 4:17-18 (KJV) – “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
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Two Judgments:
2 Timothy 4:1 (KJV)
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;”

Continued....

 

[rollinTHUNDER]

Many scholars assume the Church will be raptured into the clouds, for the judgment seat of Christ, but scripture in no way supports this assumption. This is a common belief now, but assumptions like this can keep us from seeing the truth. Jesus simply said the angels will gather together His elect (chosen). Many also claim the Church or all born again believers will be raptured based on their salvation experience, but the scriptures do not support this either. Some have recognized that not every believer will be ready, and they claim only the true believers will be raptured instead. The Bible mentions nothing about so-called true believers, but Jesus did mention cold, hot and lukewarm believers and He warned that His servants must be ready. This assumption is why I believe the other rapture theories are inferior, leaving many believers with a false sense of security. They don’t go deep enough, and have too many holes that they just fill with more assumptions. And this is why His parables are too important to neglect or ignore.
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Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) – “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth”
.
Christ was the only one that told us about the cold, hot and lukewarm believers. He warned us to be ready, not to assume we will all be ready. He gave His parables as clues about His judgment seat. We will not be rewarded for receiving Christ as our savior; that was a free gift to everyone who receives Him, the very moment they receive Him. But that was only our first step, the beginning of our new life in Him. Our rewards, on the other hand, will not be known or given until He returns, and these will be based on the works we’ve done after we received Him. No one ever teaches this, but it’s scripture that should never be ignored. Three different rewards will given to the cold, hot and lukewarm believers, and it should be noted that punishment is also involved (see Luke 12:35-48).
.
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
.
Matthew 16:27 (KJV) – “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
.
Revelation 22:12 (KJV) – “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
.
Many believe the Church will be raptured and meet in the clouds for the judgment seat of Christ, but again, I’d stress caution with this assumption. I see another possibility. God’s ways are higher than mans’ ways. Jesus is already on His throne in heaven and He won’t need us to show up and present our case, like we do in an earthly court of law. No need to present any evidence. Why, because He already knows, and scripture tells us that nothing we say or do on this earth is hidden from Him. Everything will already be recorded in the books in heaven as a permanent record. I can’t prove this, of course, but I have a strong hunch this is the way it will be. It seems that His judgment will already be made, because He said He’s bringing our reward with Him when He comes. He will give to each their portion, and some servants, He says, will be left with the unbelievers (Luke 12:46). Read it for yourself. This is why He warned us to be ready.
.
Hebrews 4:13 – “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
.
Revelation 3:15 – “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!"
.
Luke 12:46 – “The master of that servant will come in a day when he thinketh not, and at an hour when he is not aware of, and will cut him off, and give him his portion with the unbelievers.”
.
Luke 21:34-36 – “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts become burdened by excessiveness and drunkenness and anxieties of life, and that Day comes on you unexpectedly. 35 For as a snare it will come on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Therefore watch always and pray that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
.
So Paul wasn’t the only one to teach about the rapture. He was only part of this equation. In fact, we might even say that he summed it all up and/or confirmed what Daniel and Christ had said about this subject previously. My book actually begins in Daniel 12, where the prophet Daniel was given a prophecy about the time of the end, a future time of trouble (tribulation) not seen since there was a nation, followed immediately by the resurrection. Then he was suddenly told to shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Many scholars believe Daniel’s prophecy foretells the increase of modern technology, but this is precisely where my first major discovery begins. And I contend that it has more to do with the resurrection/rapture. As I proved in my book, the New Testament is the increase of knowledge, when Daniel’s prophecy was actually continued. Daniel was ordered to shut up the words and seal the book right after he was told about the resurrection, but later Christ and Paul increased knowledge about this mystery in the New Testament.
.
Introducing my new mathematical biblical formula about the increase of knowledge:
Resurrection (Dan. 12:2, 1 Thes. 4:16) – Rapture (Matt. 24:31, 1 Thes. 4:17)
Daniel 12:1-2 + Matthew 24:29-31 = 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
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The resurrection was taught in the Old Testament, while the rapture was taught in the New Testament. Just as Christ was concealed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament, the same can be said about the resurrection and rapture. Daniel told us about the resurrection. Christ added the rapture of the living and Paul confirmed both. Daniel knew nothing about the rapture of the living, and Christ said nothing about the dead when He concluded Daniel’s prophecy (increased knowledge). There are many fascinating details about this in my book, too many to post here. I warned you this might be revolutionary, not to mention very sobering as well. Many will fall away, some will be ready, and others (lukewarm) will be martyred during the hour of temptation. Most people don’t know it yet, but this mystery is hereby solved.
.
Matthew 13:33 (KJV) – “Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
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There is one other important thing I should briefly discuss before I close, which is why the rapture and second coming cannot occur on the same day. I wrote about this in the last chapter of my book, and this is where the fulfillment of the fall feasts come into play. Just as Christ fulfilled the spring feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits & Pentecost) during His first coming, He will likewise fulfill the fall feasts (Trumpets, Atonement & Tabernacles) upon His return. These ancient feasts foretell the Lord’s appointed times, and will include the rapture, saving Israel and the second coming/judgment of the nations/end of the age. The fall feasts will take three (3) weeks to complete, and other events in between them will include the wedding supper for those who are ready, and the hour of temptation for those who aren’t, when many martyrs will be killed. And finally, the end of the tribulation is not the end of the age. There will be an additional 75 days after the tribulation, and Daniel also provided us with the timeline.
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Daniel 12:8-13 (KJV) – “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? (9) And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. (10) Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. (11) And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (12) Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (13) But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.”
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My theory may never become popular, but when all is said and done, it just might be the last one standing. All praises to God and glory to His name!

 

[seventysevens]

Matthew 24:3 (KJV) – “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
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Matthew 24:31 = Rapture
Matthew 25:31 = Second coming/end of the age
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Matt 24 does not speak of rapture which is why the word rapture is not found in the entire chapter
Jesus was speaking of His return the Second conning , the entire description of Jesus what saying is what will happen when he returns to rule and reign and he comes With the saints and then gathers those are alive and went through the GT ,

To speak of the rapture you should consider that difference of the events that happen at the rapture that have the word rapture contained in the verse and compare to the verse that speak of the events of the Second coming ... events that are taking place are different during each as there are different things happening on earth at the rapture than the things happening when the second coming happens

 

[PesachPup]

Many scholars assume the Church will be raptured into the clouds, for the judgment seat of Christ, but scripture in no way supports this assumption. This is a common belief now, but assumptions like this can keep us from seeing the truth. Jesus simply said the angels will gather together His elect (chosen). Many also claim the Church or all born again believers will be raptured based on their salvation experience, but the scriptures do not support this either. Some have recognized that not every believer will be ready, and they claim only the true believers will be raptured instead. The Bible mentions nothing about so-called true believers, but Jesus did mention cold, hot and lukewarm believers and He warned that His servants must be ready. This assumption is why I believe the other rapture theories are inferior, leaving many believers with a false sense of security. They don’t go deep enough, and have too many holes that they just fill with more assumptions. And this is why His parables are too important to neglect or ignore.
.
Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) – “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth”
.
Christ was the only one that told us about the cold, hot and lukewarm believers. He warned us to be ready, not to assume we will all be ready. He gave His parables as clues about His judgment seat. We will not be rewarded for receiving Christ as our savior; that was a free gift to everyone who receives Him, the very moment they receive Him. But that was only our first step, the beginning of our new life in Him. Our rewards, on the other hand, will not be known or given until He returns, and these will be based on the works we’ve done after we received Him. No one ever teaches this, but it’s scripture that should never be ignored. Three different rewards will given to the cold, hot and lukewarm believers, and it should be noted that punishment is also involved (see Luke 12:35-48).
.
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
.
Matthew 16:27 (KJV) – “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
.
Revelation 22:12 (KJV) – “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
.
Many believe the Church will be raptured and meet in the clouds for the judgment seat of Christ, but again, I’d stress caution with this assumption. I see another possibility. God’s ways are higher than mans’ ways. Jesus is already on His throne in heaven and He won’t need us to show up and present our case, like we do in an earthly court of law. No need to present any evidence. Why, because He already knows, and scripture tells us that nothing we say or do on this earth is hidden from Him. Everything will already be recorded in the books in heaven as a permanent record. I can’t prove this, of course, but I have a strong hunch this is the way it will be. It seems that His judgment will already be made, because He said He’s bringing our reward with Him when He comes. He will give to each their portion, and some servants, He says, will be left with the unbelievers (Luke 12:46). Read it for yourself. This is why He warned us to be ready.
.
Hebrews 4:13 – “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
.
Revelation 3:15 – “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!"
.
Luke 12:46 – “The master of that servant will come in a day when he thinketh not, and at an hour when he is not aware of, and will cut him off, and give him his portion with the unbelievers.”
.
Luke 21:34-36 – “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts become burdened by excessiveness and drunkenness and anxieties of life, and that Day comes on you unexpectedly. 35 For as a snare it will come on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Therefore watch always and pray that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
.
So Paul wasn’t the only one to teach about the rapture. He was only part of this equation. In fact, we might even say that he summed it all up and/or confirmed what Daniel and Christ had said about this subject previously. My book actually begins in Daniel 12, where the prophet Daniel was given a prophecy about the time of the end, a future time of trouble (tribulation) not seen since there was a nation, followed immediately by the resurrection. Then he was suddenly told to shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Many scholars believe Daniel’s prophecy foretells the increase of modern technology, but this is precisely where my first major discovery begins. And I contend that it has more to do with the resurrection/rapture. As I proved in my book, the New Testament is the increase of knowledge, when Daniel’s prophecy was actually continued. Daniel was ordered to shut up the words and seal the book right after he was told about the resurrection, but later Christ and Paul increased knowledge about this mystery in the New Testament.
.
Introducing my new mathematical biblical formula about the increase of knowledge:
Resurrection (Dan. 12:2, 1 Thes. 4:16) – Rapture (Matt. 24:31, 1 Thes. 4:17)
Daniel 12:1-2 + Matthew 24:29-31 = 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
.
The resurrection was taught in the Old Testament, while the rapture was taught in the New Testament. Just as Christ was concealed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament, the same can be said about the resurrection and rapture. Daniel told us about the resurrection. Christ added the rapture of the living and Paul confirmed both. Daniel knew nothing about the rapture of the living, and Christ said nothing about the dead when He concluded Daniel’s prophecy (increased knowledge). There are many fascinating details about this in my book, too many to post here. I warned you this might be revolutionary, not to mention very sobering as well. Many will fall away, some will be ready, and others (lukewarm) will be martyred during the hour of temptation. Most people don’t know it yet, but this mystery is hereby solved.
.
Matthew 13:33 (KJV) – “Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
.
There is one other important thing I should briefly discuss before I close, which is why the rapture and second coming cannot occur on the same day. I wrote about this in the last chapter of my book, and this is where the fulfillment of the fall feasts come into play. Just as Christ fulfilled the spring feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits & Pentecost) during His first coming, He will likewise fulfill the fall feasts (Trumpets, Atonement & Tabernacles) upon His return. These ancient feasts foretell the Lord’s appointed times, and will include the rapture, saving Israel and the second coming/judgment of the nations/end of the age. The fall feasts will take three (3) weeks to complete, and other events in between them will include the wedding supper for those who are ready, and the hour of temptation for those who aren’t, when many martyrs will be killed. And finally, the end of the tribulation is not the end of the age. There will be an additional 75 days after the tribulation, and Daniel also provided us with the timeline.
.
Daniel 12:8-13 (KJV) – “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? (9) And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. (10) Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. (11) And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (12) Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (13) But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.”
.
My theory may never become popular, but when all is said and done, it just might be the last one standing. All praises to God and glory to His name!

I agree with most everything you say about chapters 24, 25 of Matthew. I am interested [probably few will agree with your understanding] in how you came to this this understanding. I think i know how, but i just want to hear your thought process. Indeed the rapture is found in Matt 24:30. Say on!
The PuP

 

[PesachPup]

Matt 24 does not speak of rapture which is why the word rapture is not found in the entire chapter
Jesus was speaking of His return the Second conning , the entire description of Jesus what saying is what will happen when he returns to rule and reign and he comes With the saints and then gathers those are alive and went through the GT ,

To speak of the rapture you should consider that difference of the events that happen at the rapture that have the word rapture contained in the verse and compare to the verse that speak of the events of the Second coming ... events that are taking place are different during each as there are different things happening on earth at the rapture than the things happening when the second coming happens

You are not focusing on the right word and i think rollinthunder will tell you the same . Parousia should be the point of focus. This is the word that describes Jesus coming with the glory of his Father .
The PuP

 

[TribulationSigns]

Matt 24 does not speak of rapture which is why the word rapture is not found in the entire chapteR

Yes, it does.

Mat 24:29 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:

Mat 24:30 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.

Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This is the Second Coming when the rapture (gathering) will occur. The same gathering found here:

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gatheringtogether unto him,

2Th 2:2 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.

2Th 2:3 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;

You just wanted to believe the word rapture is not found in Matthew 24 because the chapter does not teach about gathering together 7 years prior to second coming.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Some even try avoid this subject altogether by proclaiming a belief in a so-called pan-theory, saying that it will all pan out in the end – end of subject. No doubt, it will all certainly pan out, but that, in my view, is just a cop-out.

Actually, if I let the world confuse me into believing anything but the second coming of Christ, I'd figure I'd best go with the pan theory/I don't know. At least that allows me not to believe in another of many false prophesies.

It seems that I’m arriving very late to the rapture debate, but this is my calling nonetheless.

No offense, and I only use this to make a point, and that point isn't that you are as bad as Jim Jones, but that he had a calling too. So please understand the skepticism of some.

This is not a subject that Christians should be trying to avoid, not when Christ repeatedly warned us to keep watch and be ready, saying His coming will occur when we least expect it.

So be ready...we should always be ready. Not that I try to avoid any subject in the bible but for the purpose of the subject here, yes we could avoid the subject, avoid it by always being ready.

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

Why do you have half of your face in the light and half of your face in the shadows in your avatar picture ?

Is there an occult reason or significance for this ?

 

[seventysevens]

Yes, it does.

Mat 24:29 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:

Mat 24:30 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.

Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This is the Second Coming when the rapture (gathering) will occur. The same gathering found here:

.

The greek word for rapture is harpazo which is NOT found in Matt 24 as Matt 24 is not speaking of the harpazo Matt 24 speaks of a gathering that is done in plain sight of people when Jesus returns
there are Different things happening on earth at the harpazo than the things happening on earth at Jesus return

You just want to combine them into one event - it is not just one event even if you want it to be

Strong’s Concordance
harpazó: to seize, catch up, snatch away
Original Word: ἁρπάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: harpazó
Phonetic Spelling: (har-pad’-zo)
Definition: I seize, snatch, obtain by robbery.
HELPS Word-studies
726 harpázō – properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively

 

[seventysevens]

You are not focusing on the right word and i think rollinthunder will tell you the same . Parousia should be the point of focus. This is the word that describes Jesus coming with the glory of his Father .
The PuP

Strong’s Concordance
Coming when no one sees it happening
harpazó: to seize, catch up, snatch away
Original Word: ἁρπάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: harpazó
Phonetic Spelling: (har-pad’-zo)
Definition: I seize, snatch, obtain by robbery.
HELPS Word-studies
726 harpázō – properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively
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Parousia

 

[BABerean2]

Many scholars assume the Church will be raptured into the clouds, for the judgment seat of Christ, but scripture in no way supports this assumption.

Joh 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Based on the passage above, the "hour" is coming when "all" that are in the grave will be resurrected from the dead by the judge.


2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

He will judge both the living and the dead at His return.
See Matthew 25:31-46, and John 5:27-30.


Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

The Two Witnesses are a symbol of the Church based on the scripture found below, unless you think men can be made of wood and metal.

Rom 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.



Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.


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 kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of God and Christ "forever" at the 7th trumpet, which is the last trumpet in the Bible.

Rev 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

The time of the judgment of the dead with reward for some and destruction for others is found right after the 7th trumpet, in the verse above.

I do not know what is in your most recent book, but the above is what we find in the Bible.

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[PesachPup]

Strong’s Concordance
Coming when no one sees it happening
harpazó: to seize, catch up, snatch away
Original Word: ἁρπάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: harpazó
Phonetic Spelling: (har-pad’-zo)
Definition: I seize, snatch, obtain by robbery.
HELPS Word-studies
726 harpázō – properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively
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ParousiaView attachment 222597

No one sees him? Not according to Jesus and Paul.
*[[Mat 24:26]] KJV* Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
*[[Mat 24:27]] KJV* For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming [parousia] of the Son of man be.
*[[2Th 2:8]] KJV* 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:[parousia].

All the world will see the rapture take place. It won't be a secret, especially not to the children of Israel of that generation.

*[[Mat 24:30]] KJV* 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.

*[[1Th 3:13]] KJV* To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness BEFORE GOD, even OUR FATHER, at the coming [parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Which direction is Jesus going in that verse? TO the Father, or FROM the Father in heaven? Or, how about this one?

*[[Dan 7:13]] KJV* I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came TO the ANCIENT of DAYS , and they brought him near before him.

Jesus comes with the "clouds of heaven" when he goes to the Father, WITH THE SAINTS, because he is coming with "THE GLORY OF THE FATHER". That which the world can not look upon.

*[[Mat 17:5]] KJV* While he yet spake, behold, a bright CLOUD overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

*[[Exo 24:15]] KJV* And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.

The clouds, that Jesus comes in, are to shield the world from seeing the glory of the Father, lest they should perish.

Blessings
The PuP

 

[seventysevens]

No one sees him? Not according to Jesus and Paul.

There are several threads on this topic where several people have posted many things that point out the details so I won't be repeating all of those facts
The point being made is that Harpazo happens first -Jesus cones to take His Bride and the marriage of the bride to the groom takes place - it does NOT take place on earth , so no one will see this happening - Jesus comes to take the wise virgins to be his bride and the foolish virgins don't get to go because they were not ready when the groom came to take his bride - After the marriage has taken place Jesus returns to earth with His bride to setup Jesus kingdom on earth after he has defeated the evil one on earth and throws them, into the lake of fire
Harpazo comes first then after the marriage has been done
Parousia happens After the marriage of Jesus to His bride - they happen at two different times -which is the big debate - some of you all insist the two things happens at the same time but it does not because there is too much time involved to accomplish the marriage , as it does not happen in the air and it does bot happen on earth but it does happen before Jesus Parousia

 

[BABerean2]

Parousia happens After the marriage of Jesus to His bride - they happen at two different times -which is the big debate - some of you all insist the two things happens at the same time but it does not because there is too much time involved to accomplish the marriage

Based on the words "we" and "sleep" in 1 Thessalonians 5:10, it is one event.

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[TribulationSigns]

You just want to combine them into one event - it is not just one event even if you want it to be

The Bible declares that there is only one second coming, not a third or a fourth, so that after the believers are caught up to be in the air together with Christ (Rapture), that is the end of the world.

1st Thessalonians 4:16-18

• "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."

Revelation 10:6-7

• "And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
• But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."

At the last day (John 12:48), at the last trumpet (1st Thessalonians 4:18), at the bodily return of Christ, that is the end of the world and the end of time. Not 7 years earlier. Not 1,000 years later. According to scripture, there will be no "Tribulation Saints" to be sealed/saved after the Rapture. That is merely wishful thinking by some professing Christians and Theologians.

 

[seventysevens]

The Bible declares that there is only one second coming, not a third or a fourth, so that after the believers are caught up to be in the air together with Christ (Rapture), that is the end of the world.
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You can believe falsely is you want to -
The point being made is that Harpazo happens first -Jesus cones to take His Bride and the marriage of the bride to the groom takes place - it does NOT take place on earth , so no one will see this happening - Jesus comes to take the wise virgins to be his bride and the foolish virgins don't get to go because they were not ready when the groom came to take his bride -

After the marriage has taken place Jesus returns to earth with His bride to setup Jesus kingdom on earth after he has defeated the evil one on earth and throws them, into the lake of fire
Harpazo comes first then after the marriage has been done
Parousia the Second coming happens After the marriage of Jesus to His bride - they happen in sequence and not at the same time - you all insist the two things happens at the same time but it does not because there is too much time involved to accomplish the marriage , as it does not happen in the air and it does not happen on earth but it does happen before Jesus Second coming

 

[TribulationSigns]

The point being made is that Harpazo happens first -Jesus cones to take His Bride and the marriage of the bride to the groom takes place - it does NOT take place on earth , so no one will see this happening - Jesus comes to take the wise virgins to be his bride and the foolish virgins don't get to go because they were not ready when the groom came to take his bride -

After the marriage has taken place Jesus returns to earth with His bride to setup Jesus kingdom on earth after he has defeated the evil one on earth and throws them, into the lake of fire
Harpazo comes first then after the marriage has been done
Parousia the Second coming happens After the marriage of Jesus to His bride - they happen in sequence and not at the same time - you all insist the two things happens at the same time but it does not because there is too much time involved to accomplish the marriage , as it does not happen in the air and it does not happen on earth but it does happen before Jesus Second coming

What I read is nothing but your own private interpretation without Bible verses whatsoever. Sorry, the Gathering of the Saints (Rapture), the Second Coming of Christ, and the Judgment Day, will soon take place all at once on the Last Day.

Anyone is welcome to click on the picture below to read exactly what is the truth behind the Rapture and why the popular teachings of pre-tribulation Rapture are false:

​

 

[Willie T]

Why do you have half of your face in the light and half of your face in the shadows in your avatar picture ?

Is there an occult reason or significance for this ?

Why are Icons painted as skinny freaky-looking Hippies? Maybe its the same reason.

 

[seventysevens]

What I read is nothing but your own private interpretation without Bible verses whatsoever.

Which reveals that you do not understand what you read , You really need the verse if you know the bible ? If someone started singing " My country tis of thee"...would you know what song that is ? you spiritualize pretty much everything and your views are nothing that should be followed - but you have the right and freewill to believe whatever you want to There will be a 1000 year period of time when satan is bound in the pit and Jesus Kingdom on earth and the marriage will happen before Jesus returns in the second coming and it does not happen on earth

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[TribulationSigns]

Which reveals that you do not understand what you read , You really need the verse if you know the bible ?

Of course, I do understand. I knew but I wanted to see how well you deal with Scripture by quoting verses to see if you know what the context of the passage is really about and how you compare Scripture with Scripture which I know you DONT!

If someone started singing " My country tis of thee"...would you know what song that is ?

You have no idea what you are babbling about. Can the songs do this?

2Ti_3:16

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

you spiritualize pretty much everything and your views are nothing that should be followed

I merely am a witness to Gospel. The Holy Spirit will reveal to those it chooses to receive. Not the natural man.

1 Corinthians 2:12-14

• Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
• Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
• But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But you have the right and freewill to believe whatever you want to

I believe the Truth by the Grace of God. Not whatever I want the Bible to say. You do need to study and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you.

There will be a 1000 year period of time when satan is bound in the pit and Jesus Kingdom on earth and the marriage will happen before Jesus returns in the second coming and it does not happen on earth

That is typical pre-millennialism doctrine. They insisted that the 1,000 years to be literal, and insisted that Satan, a spirit, to be in a literal pit, and insist that Christ will sit upon a literal throne in a literal temple on earth. You got everything all wrong about 1,000 years.

The number 10 (and its multiples 100, 1,000, etc.) signifies the fullness of whatever is in view (Rev 20). The purpose of the building of millennial kingdom will last from Pentecost to the Last Elect God have sealed (1 Peter 2:5). This is a spiritual kingdom through the Church because it is only a physical representation of God's kingdom on Earth, where Christ rules as a chief cornerstone of THIS building (Eph 2:20, 1Pe 2:6) as He seals (saved) Elect into His kingdom under His covenant that He has confirmed at the Cross (Rev 7:1-4), and have blind Satan to keep him from deceiving the world so that Christ could build His Church (kingdom) (Rev 20:3). Once the fullness of the Gentiles be coming in, and so ALL COVENANT ISRAEL, not nation Israel, shall be saved (Rom 11:25-26). Then the end will come when Satan will be loosened from bottomless pit to once again the deceive the Gentiles (Rev 20:7-8, Eze 38-39). In other words, no man, especially professed Christians in the church, will no longer find salvation anymore because All Covenant Israel (aka 144,000) has been sealed (Rev 9:3-6). This is the time of Great Tribulation where these professed Christians are being judged by God using the false prophets and Christs that deceive them (Matthew 24:5; 11-12) Then after the tribuation of those days, at the Last Trump (1Co 15:52), Christ appears in the air and gathers His dead Elects who comes with him and "alive and remain" elects to be raptured into the air (1Th 4:16-17), and the wicked shall be judged (Daniel 12:1-2, Rev 11:18). Christ and his Bride, New Jerusalem, will enjoy eternal kingdom together (Rev 21).

I backed up my doctrine with these verses.