The word "Rapture" is not in the Bible

However the Second Coming is. In the western world, most people that speak of the "Rapture," they are thinking "Pre-tribulation Rapture.  (i.e. Jesus returning before the Great Tribulation) The word "Rapture" has become synonymous with the Second Coming. It is actually a Latin word "raptus" from the 16th. century, meaning a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion. A mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things.
Encyclopedia  Britannica

Jesus is coming back! The question is when? Before the tribulation? (Pre-Trib) In the middle of the tribulation? (Mid-Trib) or at the end of the tribulation? (Post Trib.) The following chart explains the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, which is held by many in the U.S.A.

(Chart below explains the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine. I am NOT teaching this because I don't see it in the Word of God. However, I need to explain what it is, in order to disprove it. Many hold fast to this hope, yet they cannot explain why they believe it.)



Scripture commonly used to teach the "Rapture."

The apostle Paul told the Thessalonians that Jesus will "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...to meet the Lord in the air..." (1Thes.4:13-18, 1Cor.15:51-52) This is the Second Coming of Christ, which become known in the Western world as the "Rapture." The issue is not if, but when will the Second Coming happen.
 

When will the "Rapture" (Second Coming) take place?

The apostles doctrine gives the order of events but not the time, because "of that day and hour knoweth no man." (Matt.24:36) This order is revealed in Paul's epistles (i.e. letters) to the Thessalonians. They had undue excitement, and had become "shaken in mind," (2Thes.2:1-2) entertaining wrong views as to the nearness of Christ's return. They thought Jesus was coming
at any moment! They thought "that the day of Christ [was] at hand!" (2Thes.2:2)

1.  In Paul's first epistle (letter) Paul proclaimed that Jesus had ascended into heaven and would 
     return again. (1Thes.4:13-18) They immediately thought "that the day of Christ was at hand." 
     (2Thes.2:1-2  i.e. at any moment)
2.  Paul wrote a second epistle (letter) to correct their wrong thinking.
     Paul wrote, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (the Second Coming of Christ)
     shall not come except there come "a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son 
     of perdition." (2Thes.2:3)

The days of Noah confirm this order of events

Jesus said, "As the days of Noah (Gen.6:1-22) were so also shall the Coming of the Son of man be."
(Matt.24:36-37) Just as there was a Word to Noah for his generation, there is a word from God to
our generation. (The Bible)


1.  A Word was given to Noah
     God has given us "a Word!" He has  
     given His Word. (Gen.6:1-22) "The
     Word" (Eph.2:6-8) This "Word"
     includes the pattern to build by, just as
     Noah had. (Eph.2:4-9, Matt.24:36-37)
2.  A time given to build. (Gen.6:3, 13)
     There is an appointed time that God  
     has set to destroy this earth with fire, 
     and a time for us to build. (2Peter.3:1-
     14) We are either building with Gold, 
     Silver and precious stones, or wood, 
     hay and stubble. (1Cor.3:10-15)
3.  Finished Ark and a word given 
     to enter into what Noah had built.
     (Gen.7:11) There is an appointed time  
     when the Church (i.e. Ark) will be 
     finished.1  Then God will say, "Come 
     thou...into the Ark" (i.e. what you have 
     been building  Eph.4:11-16; 5:21-
     33, 1Peter.2:5) It should be noted that
Noah is still on the earth. The Church will be still on the earth (as Noah was) with the tribulation between them and the Second Coming. That is why the apostle Paul wrote, "let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober," (1Thes.5:6) because there will be "a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed" for 42 months. (2Thes.2:3,Rev.13:5) After which Jesus destroys him. (2Thes.2:8)

4.  Noah preserved in the destruction
     There will be a Christian people "alive and remain" (1Thes.4:13-18) and preserved from the 
     destruction, just as "Noah only remained alive and they that were with in the Ark." (Gen.7:23) These
     will Christians that are privileged to be alive during this time.  
     a.  These will be a people that "by faith" (Heb.11:7) built their lives according to God's pattern as 
          Noah did. (Gen.6:14-22) Noah had not seen rain (Gen.2:5-6) or a flood, just as we have never 
          seen the "heaven's...on fire...and the elements...melt with fervent heat." (2Peter.1-12) We do 
          have a pattern as Noah did. As long as we do "according to all" that God commands we will be 
          preserved. (Note: 1Cor.3:10-15)
     b.  These will be a people that will, "by faith", allowed themselves to be "warned" of God, 
          (Heb.11:7) while the world is oblivious (unaware, ignorant) to God's warning. (Matt.24:39)
     c.  These will be people that "by faith" will have a "hearing ear". (Matt.13:10-17, Rev.2:7, 17, 29)
     d.  These will be a people that will not mock God's warning and promise. (2Peter.3:1-9)

The Ark today is the Woman of Revelation twelve (i.e. The Bride)3

She appears before the Tribulation, just as Noah did with his finished Ark. This Woman is the only
one that escapes (i.e. preserved) from the wrath of the dragon (Satan) and his man of sin / antichrist. Rev.12:1-17)  In order to understand this fully, the order of events in Revelation need to be explained.

Beginning with Jesus returning at the sound of the
seventh trumpet. (Rev.11:15)

This cannot be separated from Christ's return. Wherever your theology places Jesus coming back it must include the seventh trumpet. The 7th trump is the last trump that Paul spoke of, (1 Cor.15:51-52) because it is the last of seven trumpets that sound. There is no other trumpets blowing, except for the voice of the trumpet that John heard that was before the seals were opened. i.e. the beginning of the order of events (Rev.1:10; 5:1) 
                     
Next: The dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which
are alive and remain

This cannot be separated from Christ's return. These are the "complete collection"2  of the saints. (i.e. "our gathering together unto him." 2Thes.2:1) There is only one resurrection for the dead in Christ. (John.5:29; 11:24, Acts.24:15, Rev.20:5) They all rise at the same time. The Pre-Tribulation rapture doctrine teaches two resurrections. One for the dead in Christ before the Tribulation and other for the Tribulation and Old Testament saints.
                            
The placing of the previous six trumpets

When these trumpets sounded, they sounded one after the other (Rev.8 - 9:1-21; 10:7; 11:15)  which makes it easy to place them in the correct order. Beginning with the seventh (last) trump, count backwards. (Note: Chart below)
(Note: All six trumpets have to blow in their order before we are "caught up," i.e. Raptured  to meet the Lord in the air at the sound of the seventh trumpet. (i.e."last trump") This is what Paul saying to the Thessalonians and the Corthinians. (1Thes.4:13-18; 2Thes.2:1-9, 1Cor.15:51-52)

Also, these angels cannot sound until they are given these trumpets at the opening of the seventh seal. (Rev.8:1-13; 9:1-21; 10:7; 11:15) 

This means the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth seal must to be opened before the seventh seal. (Note Chart opp.)

This also means that "we which are alive and remain" (1Thes.4:13-18) are still on this earth while there is war, (Rev.6:3-4) famine, (Rev.6:5-6) death, (Rev.6:7-8) martyrs, (Rev.6:9-11) earthquakes, the sun becoming 
black and the moon as blood. (Rev.6:12-17) 
This is because those that will be "alive and remain" (1Thes.4:13-18) will not be caught up to meet the Lord in the air until the seventh trumpet blows. (The "last trump")


The 5th. trumpet is a pivotal point in the order of events

"And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. (Rev 9:1-3)  Therefore everything that was in the bottomless pit could not get out until the 5th. trumpet sounds. One of those things is the "beast" (i.e. antichrist)

1.  The antichrist ascends from the bottomless pit
     The apostle John saw "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" kill the two witnesses 
     after they had finished their testimony. (Rev.11:7)  This "beast" is the antichrist.

1.  This Rev.11:7 "beast" is the same "beast" 
     as in Rev.17:1-18, because they both are 
     identified as ascending out of the 
     bottomless pit. (Rev.11:7; 17:8)
2.  The Rev.11:7; 17:8 "beast" is the same
     as the Rev.13:1-10 beast because the
     description is the same. Note: "They that 
     dwell on the earth shall wonder" after whose 
     names were not written in the book of life.

     Note: This "beast" goes into perdition. 
     (Rev.17:8, 2Thes.2:3) [son of perdition]

3.  The Rev.13:1-8 "beast" is the same as the 
     Rev.19:19-21 because this beast has the 
     same purpose as the Rev.13:17 beast. 
     Another confirming point is the 
     identification of the "other" beast, as the 
     false prophet. (Rev.13:11-18; 19:20)



4.  Therefore it is safe to conclude that at the sounding of the 5th. trumpet is the time that the 
     antichrist is revealed because he has to ascend up out of the bottomless pit which is locked 
     until the 5th.trumpet sounds. (Rev.9:1-2)

5.  Now John says, that after his revealing, he (the antichrist) "has power to continue forty and 
     two months" (Rev.13:5) This is three and a half years. (Rev.13:5; 11:2-3; 12:6) which exactly what 
     Daniel prophesied. (Dan.7:25) Time, times and dividing of times. At the end of the three and a half 
     years, Jesus destroys him with the brightness of His coming. (2Thes.2:8)

The 6th. trumpet is placed towards the end of the 3 1/2 yrs.

"And I will give power unto my two witnesses,
and they shall prophesy a thousand two
hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Rev 11:3-4)...And when they shall
have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make
 war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them (Rev 11:7-8) And after three days
and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and
great fear fell upon them which saw them. 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. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the
city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were
affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe (i.e. the 6th. trumpet -
Rev.8:13) is past; and, behold, the third woe (i.e. the 7th. trumpet, the last rump, the
Second Coming) cometh
quickly. (Rev 11:11-15)


Woe to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the 5th, 6th and 7th.trumpets of yet to sound!

The reason for this is because at the 5th trumpet is the revealing of the antichrist who will "continue for forty and two months." The tribulation!" The fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. (Rev 8:12-9:1)

1.  During this same period of time of the 
     antichrist (42 months Rev.13:5) there will 
     be seven angels that pour out the seven 
     vials because the first angel poured his vial 
     out on "the men which had the mark of the 
     beast." (Rev.16:1-2)
2.  During this same period of time of the 
     antichrist (42 months Rev.13:5)  
     Mystery Babylon the Great Mother of Harlots and abominations will be present because she is 
     siting on the scarlet colored beast / antichrist. (Rev.17:1-18)
3.  During this time the two witnesses prophecy because the beast (antichrist) kills them after 
     they have finished their testimony. (Rev.11:7 i.e. The remaining 3 1/2 years of the covenant.)


At the Second Coming is Armageddon

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." (Rev.16:13-17; 17:14; 19:11-21) Armageddon is the antichrist fighting against The Lord Jesus Christ at His Second Coming. (Dan.2:35, 44-45, 2Thes.2:1-8, Rev.13:4)  Review Phase 3 for explanation of below chart 
                            
After the Second Coming is the Millennium or 1000 yr. rest

"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. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. (Rev.19:20-20:3)

 
The only event that escapes the wrath of the antichrist is the Rev.12 Woman. (The modern day "Ark")

"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." (Rev 12:1-2) "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. (Rev 12:6-7)

1.  This woman is a future because John was told that she was to be "hereafter." (future 
     Rev.4:1-2) This woman cannot be interpreted as anything before the apostle John. 
     The Book of Revelation can divided up into three divisions.
     a.  "Things which thou hast seen" (Rev.1:1-20)
     b.  "and the things which are" (Rev.1:19; 2-3)
     c.  "and the things which shall be hereafter" (Rev.1:19; 4-22) 
        
2.  A woman is Bible language is always speaking of a Church. True or false. "For the husband 
     is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. 
     Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every 
      thing. (Eph 5:23-25, 2Cor.11:3)
3.  There are only two woman in the Book of Revelation. 
     Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matt 24:41-42) 
      a.  Rev.12 Woman. (Rev.12:1-17) "taken"
      b.  Rev.17 Woman. (Rev.17:1-18) "other left"
                                         
4.   The Revelation twelve woman is a Godly Woman. The true Church
      "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, 
      which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev 12:17) 
5.   The Revelation seventeen woman is an ungodly woman. The false Church
      "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER
      OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the
      blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with
      great admiration. (Rev 17:5-7)
6.  The Godly woman (Church) is a married Woman
      There "appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon 
      under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, 
      travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. (Rev 12:1-3) Godly principles dictate that she is 
      already married. (1Cor.6:18; 7:1-40) Note: The example of Mary and Joseph. (Matt.1:18-25)
      The only future marriage for the true Church, is the marriage between Christ and His Church
                                         

7.  The ungodly harlot woman is the antichrist's bride
      This woman wants the privileges of marriage without the commitment to anyone. It is no 
      coincidence that the antichrist's bride follows the true Bride. Lucifer said he wanted to "be like" (a
      copy) of the Most High. (Isa.14:11-15, 2Thes.2:4)

(Continue on "What about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture" Page 2 of 2)

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1.  Jesus said "I will build my Church." (Matt.16:18) This means that the build will be completed, because Jesus is a finisher. (Note: Luke.14:25-33)
The apostle Paul who was taught by revelation of Jesus Christ, (Gal.1:11-12) called the Church an Holy Temple, growing up to be a mature (perfect) man.
(Eph.4:11-16) Built up a spiritual House. (1 Peter.2:5) There will be a time when the Church is completely built.

2. Strong's New Testament Greek Dictionary

3. She is the married Bride of Christ because (a) A woman is always representing a Church, true or false.Eph.5:21-33 (b) She is a
FUTURE woman. (Rev.4:1) The ONLY future Godly, married woman in the future is the Bride of Christ. There another woman
in Rev.17, this is satan's apostate Church, the false bride of satan. There are ONLY two woman in Revelation. (Review: Eschatology Two, Phase 12)