END-TIMES PROPHECY: IMMINENT RETURN OF CHRIST (Part VI)

END-TIMES PROPHECY: IMMINENT RETURN OF CHRIST (Part VI)

Today, we commence our detailed discussion of THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH.  We acknowledge the existence of three major perspectives pertaining to this prophetic and historic event: 1) Pre-Tribulation Rapture, 2) Mid-Tribulation Rapture, and 3) Post-Tribulation Rapture.  Regarding Christ’s return, the timing of each is obvious.  Let’s take a closer look.

The least commonly held view is the MID-TRIBULATION RAPTURE, whose proponents believe Christ will return for His Church approximately 3½ YEARS AFTER the signing of a mid-east peace treaty that is prophetically identified as ‘The Confirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant.’ (Daniel 9:27) Those who hold this view believe that the Church must pass through a severe period of “persecution.” (II Timothy 3:12) They believe that this persecution will occur during the first half of The Tribulation, but Christ will then return to prevent His people from experiencing the worst part of divine wrath, i.e. The Great Tribulation (the final 3½ years of human history). They also point to scriptures that predict momentous tribulation for the nation of Israel.  However, this leads to a major error in Biblical interpretation, for they fail to distinguish the NATION ISRAEL from SPIRITUAL ISRAEL.  While the two are certainly connected, they are not one and the same. Indeed, the NATION ISRAEL WILL experience the Tribulation Period, but the manifold grace of God will prevail for their security and salvation. (Revelation 7:1-14) SPIRITUAL ISRAEL will not be present during “the time of Jacob's trouble,” for these persons are born-again believers in Christ. (Jeremiah 30:7)

The second most commonly held view is that of a POST-TRIBULATION RAPTURE, which holds that Christ will return for His Church AT THE END of the seven-year Tribulation Period. Proponents of this view contend that the scriptures specify that Christ's return occurs at the sounding of “the LAST trumpet.” (I Corinthians 15:52) They believe that this trumpet sound is synonymous with that of Revelation 11:15, when “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord.”  On the surface, this seems to be a valid argument, but it is actually erroneous since “the last trumpet” (I Thessalonians 4:16 and I Corinthians 15:52) is the “trumpet of God,” which is the conclusive call at the end of The Church Age for a prepared people who will now meet their Savior face-to-face in the air.  On the other hand, the trumpet sound of Revelation 11:15 is ‘an angel’s trumpet,’ which simply heralds the start of “the third woe” that rains down final judgments upon all rejecters of Christ, the enemies of God. (Revelation 11:14-18)

The third and most commonly held view is that of a PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE, i.e. that Christ will return for His Church AT THE BEGINNING of the seven-year Tribulation Period. This is my personal view and that of a clear majority of prophecy scholars and teachers, one which is clearly supported in scripture.  At Christ’s coming, all deceased believers will be resurrected and all living believers will be changed instantaneously. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) The most compelling argument for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture is found in the prophetic writings of Daniel.  During Daniel’s seventieth week (The 7-Year Tribulation), the Word declares that the people of God “shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Daniel 9:24; 12:1)

Although some people will be saved during The Tribulation (especially Jews), which is a manifestation of God’s abundant grace, the primary emphasis of The Tribulation Period is the outpouring of God’s wrath. (Revelation 6:16-17; 11:18; 14:19 and Zephaniah 1:15;18) Clearly, the Word informs believers that we are “NOT appointed…to wrath,” but unto salvation by Jesus. Christ. (I Thessalonians 5:9) Therefore, simple logic dictates that the Church should (and must) be absent during this time of God’s great wrath. After the Rapture, Christians will “appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” (II Corinthians 5:10) However, this will not be a judgment (in the sense of a criminal trial) to determine guilt or innocence, since at Calvary’s cross all our sins were judged and punished via the substitutionary sacrifice of the Savior. Rather, it will be a judgment of Kingdom works and our underlying motives for the same. Various crowns and rewards will be distributed in accordance with the character and consistency of our deeds. (I Corinthians 3:11-13)

Now that we understand ‘WHEN’ The Rapture will occur (relative to the events of The Tribulation Period), let’s look more closely at the ‘WHAT,’ the ‘WHO’ and the 'HAPPENINGS' surrounding Christ’s second coming.  First and foremost, no one knows the exact timing of His imminent appearance.  Jesus Christ warns that “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40)

The term, “Rapture” does not appear in the scriptures, but it is derived from a 4^th century translation of the Greek word, “harpadzo,” which suggests that believers in Christ will be “caught up.”  There is scriptural precedence for this: “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:24, NIV) If God did it before (for one righteous man), He can certainly do it again for all those who have been declared to be “the righteousness of God.” (II Corinthians 5:21)

WHO will participate in The Rapture?  The Apostle Paul said Christ will return for “a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing…holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27) Therefore, now is “the time 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?  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (I Peter 4:17-18) Nevertheless, we fully appreciate the fact that our right standing with God is accomplished (only) through the blood atonement and resurrection power of Jesus Christ!

Much confusion surrounds the interpretation of these end-times events because the Bible actually describes two distinct occurrences.  For the sake of clarity, let’s label them as follows: Phase One and Phase Two of the Second Coming of Christ.  Phase One is THE RAPTURE. Phase Two is THE GLORIOUS APPEARANCE.  The distinctiveness of each phase is evident in scripture.

THE RAPTURE is for a select group of people.  That is, Christ will return for His Church, only to reveal Himself to His people.  As such, this event will be accomplished in absolute secrecy, thereby causing the whole world to wonder afterwards: ‘What has happened?  Where are the missing people?’ (Matthew 24:37-42) In the Rapture, Christ arrives suddenly (mid-air) to receive His Church and to transport us to the “Father’s house,” in fulfillment of His promise. (John 14:1-3) There we shall appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and we will also participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (II Corinthians 5:8-10 and Revelation 19:1-10)

On the other hand, THE GLORIOUS APPEARANCE is a totally public and globally observed event, which will occur at the close of The Great Tribulation.  In this instance, “every eye shall see Him.” (Revelation 1:7) Exactly seven years after The Rapture, Christ will return to the earth with great glory; He will set down on the Mount of Olives; He will defeat Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet and their followers; He will establish His earthly kingdom; and, He will ultimately judge fallen humanity. He shall reign "for ever and ever." (Luke 1:33 and Revelation 11:15)

Tomorrow’s devotional recounts a thorough breakdown of the events of Phase One and Phase Two.  Please stay prayerfully attentive as our end-times series progresses.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!