Today it is a popular trend as Christians to believe in and teach a thing called rapture, however, is this really what the Bible says if you truly closely investigate the scriptures? The Rapture Theory says that one day, before the tribulation starts, that the church will suddenly disappear and go to meet Jesus in the sky and be taken to Heaven. It implies that once this happens, suddenly cars will become driverless, and aircraft will become pilotless and people will vanish from whatever they are doing, while complete chaos will ensue back on earth, as those who remain enter the tribulation. Does The Bible really teach this? Or is this simply a tradition that has been passed down over the past couple centuries unquestioned? Well, let us see what the inspired Word of God has to say about what the end times have in store for true Christians.
(2Th 2:1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together 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.
This letter Paul is writing to clear up a few confusions in the church of Thessalonica. He is speaking here about the time of the return of Christ.
(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;
This day, the Day of the Lord, the day Jesus returns, will not come until there first is a falling away of the church, which is an apostasy of most of the church , meaning that they will stray from their original beliefs. Well how can this happen? We will find this out very shortly.
After this falling away, but still before the return of Jesus, the man of sin, who is the son of perdition, the only one who had specifically been sentenced to perish in the Lake of Fire, will be revealed to those on earth. This son of perdition is none other than satan.
(2Th 2:4) 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, shewing himself that he is God.
Satan, Lucifer, as you will remember, is the cherub whom God appointed to cover the mercy seat. He wanted to rise himself above God and be worshipped. When he comes to earth as antichrist, before the Day of the Lord, he will sit himself in God’s temple claiming to be God so that he may be worshipped by all who don’t know better according to God’s Word.
(2Th 2:5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
(2Th 2:6) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
Paul here is asking, “Haven’t you been paying attention? Don’t you remember what I’ve already told you?”
The word ‘withholdeth’ means to retain in your memory. He is telling them and us not to forget what he has said and what is explaining once again in this letter.
(2Th 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.
This mystery of wickedness is already in the world, and only he who retains this knowledge in his mind will stand until satan, as antichrist, is taken out of the way by Jesus at His return.
(2Th 2:8) 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:
When Jesus returns, as told in Zechariah 14, all those who are wicked and the things that offend Him will He destroy by God’s consuming fire.
(2Th 2:9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
(2Th 2:10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Even antichrist will be destroyed at the time of Jesus’ return, both antichrist and his beast system, leaving satan in only his prime form to be locked away for the entire Millennium, until his final short release. Also those who were deceived into worshipping him will be destroyed in the flesh, and this will leave them only a mortal spiritual body, which is liable to die at the end of the Millennium in the Lake of Fire, if they do not receive the proper correction during the up-coming thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.
(2Th 2:11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
(2Th 2:12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
These people who did not have enough love of the truth to study the Bible will be sent strong delusion by God so that they will believe these lies of satan. The ultimate goal is not that they will be destroyed, but that they will learn from these mistakes during the Millennium, and pass the final test when satan is released one last time to deceive the world (per, Ezekiel 44 and Revelation 20).
(1Co 15:50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
The spiritual kingdom of Heaven inhabits a different dimension than we do, and therefore we, in our physical flesh bodies, cannot possible enter that realm in a physical form. This kingdom is of a higher dimension than what we are currently aware as flesh people. These flesh bodies are corruptible, which means that they will all receive injuries and die and decay; and incorruptible bodies cannot receive injuries and decay. Although incorruptible bodies cannot rot as a dead body, they can be destroyed, but only by God and only at one time, after the Great White Throne Judgment. That spiritual death is called the second death and will be the end of the line for many. Recall this verse: (Mat 10:28) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. This “Him” spoken of is of course God and we are to revere Him.
(1Co 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
(1Co 15:52) 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.
Paul is explaining this mystery to us and it is something that is not known by many Christians even today. He is saying that not everyone in the flesh will die, and this is because those of us who are true Christians and have not strayed from Jesus by worshipping antichrist will be changed in the twinkling of an eye into our spiritual, incorruptible bodies, which cannot die. As this is happening, those who have strayed and have received the mark of the beast and stood with antichrist will be destroyed in a physical sense.
When does this happen? It happens at the last trump, which is the 7th according to Revelation 11. Also According to Revelation 9 and 13 (666, the 6th seal, 6th trumpet, 6th vial), antichrist will be arriving at the 6th trump, which is not only not the last trump but comes before the 7th trump.
(1Co 15:53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
In order to inherit the kingdom of God, which is the final goal of all Christians, we have to put on this immortality. Those who have overcome by the time that Jesus returns, on the Lord’s Day, will receive immortality then. Those who overcome at the end of the Millennium will receive it at the end of that thousand years.
(1Co 15:54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
When everyone who has overcome at the end of the Millennium has received immortality, and those who were not found in the Book of Life are thrown into the Lake of Fire, then death will be swallowed up and there will never again be suffering or death because we will finally be entering God’s eternal Kingdom of Heaven (Revelation 21-22). Those who will be thrown in the Lake of Fire are only those whom God has given ample opportunity to straighten up their acts and follow the right path. Peter says that God is very patient because He does not want any one of His children to perish.
Let’s move on to 1 Thessalonians:
(1Th 4:15) 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.
The word ‘prevent’ used here means to come before. What this verse is then saying is that those who are alive in the flesh body when Jesus returns will not rise before those who have already died. Those who have died have already risen to be with God (as illustrated in Luke 16).
(1Th 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:
At that trumpet, Jesus will return, and it will be with those Christians who came before as His army. Again, those who died as faithful Christians will have died first will have risen first.
(1Th 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.
Those of us who are still alive and have remained faithful to Jesus through the tribulation, as we are instantly changed into incorruptible eternal spiritual bodies, will be gathered together in one large group by Jesus.
(1Th 4:18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
This is a very comforting thought to those who will be threatened by antichrist and those whom serve him.
Let’s now take a look at what Jesus says about the end of days:
(Mat 24:5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
There have been and will continue to be many who say they are the Savior, until antichrist arrives, whether they say they are Jesus, or various other messiahs of the religions. But as we have seen above, there are certain things that must take place before Jesus returns.
(Mat 24:6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
The reports of wars around the world will increase, especially in proximity to the city of Jerusalem.
(Mat 24:7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
The nations will continue to build animosity toward each other, and there will be starving people (as well as people starving for the, bread of life, the Word of God as told in Amos 8), and diseases (including the metaphorical diseases of false biblical teachings), and earthquakes all over the world, even where they are very unusual.
(Mat 24:8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.
These are many of the things that lead right into the time of the great tribulation.
(Mat 24:9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Those who refuse to follow the world system described in Revelation 13, and who do not worship antichrist and his image because they know that he is not Jesus, but that he is antichrist, will be delivered up to testify why they will not do these things. Very few in the world will know better than to worship him. These people are called God’s elect—7000 of which have been chosen since before the foundation of the flesh age was laid, and 144,000 of which are chosen while in the flesh, and some gentiles as well who have been chosen by God.
(Mat 24:10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Those who will not bow to satan/antichrist will be turned in as they are observed not following the edicts of antichrist. This will be very similar to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. This story is a direct ensample (or example) of what the faithful church (Smyrna and Philadelphia, Revelation 2 & 3), those who will not bow to antichrist, can expect to experience during the tribulation.
(Mat 24:11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
There will be people who will be prophesying for antichrist by the spirit, however, it won’t be by the Holy Spirit, but by satan’s unholy spirit. Yet because, as we are told, the whole world will be deceived, they will also follow these so-called prophets and be lead right to receiving the mark of the beast.
(Mat 24:12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
The love of most in the world has been growing colder and colder for years, but as sin begins to overflow, just like it did in Sodom and Gomorrah, people will become even more self-centered and dedicated to what makes them feel pleasure.
(Mat 24:13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Only those who endure this until the end of the tribulation, which we will soon read, is the time that Jesus will finally return, will be justified at the time of His return. The rest will have to go through the Millennium to learn the difference between the holy and the profane, Ezekiel 44.
Let’s take a look at what He said in the book of Mark:
(Mar 13:9) But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
Again, those who will not worship antichrist will be delivered up before councils to testify why they will not bow; it will be a testimony for the sake of Jesus Christ.
(Mar 13:10) And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Before that time, the Word of God will have been spread around the world, but if there is any question as to the authenticity of the Gospel anywhere in the world, it is about to be cleared up.
(Mar 13:11) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
When God’s own elect are delivered up in front of these committees, the Holy Spirit will literally speak through the mouths of each one as they are questioned, and those delivered up are not to even think about what they would say beforehand. This testimony will be very similar to the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, and everyone in the world will be able to understand what is being said simultaneously though they all speak different languages. This speech by the Holy Spirit will be powerful enough to convince anyone who hears it, unless they are the most dedicated to antichrist, and no man could possibly do this under his own power.
(Mar 13:12) Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Those who are delivered up will even be turned in even by well-meaning friends and family who expect antichrist to treat them with leniency and to help them to see the error of their ways.
(Mar 13:13) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
As we were told in Matthew, those who endure all of this and remain faithful to Jesus will be justified upon His return.
(Mat 24:21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
After this, the tribulation will intensify as antichrist is angered and as the vials, starting in Revelation 16, begin to be poured on those who are steadfast in worshipping him. This will be the toughest time for mankind.
(Mat 24:22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
The tribulation will be so tough that God’s elect will be the only ones who can withstand the temptation of satan (which is why God chose them to live at this time), but if Jesus had not shortened the length of this time, which was originally 7 years, even the elect would fall to the temptation. God knows everything and He never changes from the beginning to the end, but I believe that the original period of the tribulation was given as 7 years as an illustration to us that this 7 years would conclude spiritual completion of the flesh period. Seven, in biblical numerics, means spiritual completion.
(Mat 24:23) Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
(Mat 24:24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
These false prophets and false saviors and false teachers will be so convincing that even God’s own elect (the cream of the crop, his elite warriors in the flesh) could be deceived if the time remained 7 years.
(Mat 24:25) Behold, I have told you before.
This should be nothing new to someone who is familiar with God’s Word.
(Mat 24:26) 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.
If someone needs to tell you that Jesus has returned, then it isn’t Jesus at all.
(Mat 24:27) 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.
Just like we can see lightning from many, many miles away, the whole world will know when Jesus returns at that 7th trump.
(Mat 24:28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Just like when there is a dead body in the desert, and you can see the buzzards swirling around overhead from miles away, you will know Jesus has returned, even if you are on the other side of the earth.
(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.
As the world is going through its toughest trials it has ever seen and the tribulation is coming to a close, suddenly, at that last trump, Jesus will be seen full of glory in the sky by everyone on earth. As this happens, the supernatural powers of the earth, satan and his fallen angels, will be shaken from power, and his 7 world nations of the one world government will fall.
(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.
At this time Jesus will gather His elect from anywhere in the world unto Him.
Now that we are getting the picture of God’s timetable for the end times, let’s shift gears and look at God’s elect to determine if there is any question as to these being anyone other than God’s most faithful children.
(Rom 8:29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Those who God chose from before the foundation of this earth (in other words, from the time of satan’s rebellion in the first earth age), or the katabole, in the Greek (in which satan was deposed from his position), because of how they made a stand against satan, were predestinated for a particular role in this flesh age. This is their destiny. These people are the chosen vessels to spread God’s Word and His deeper mysteries. These predestinated ones are those who will most closely conform to the image of Jesus, though no flesh man is perfect or will ever meet the bar that Jesus has set.
(Rom 8:30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
These predestinated ones are those whom God calls to do His will on earth. These same people are the only ones who have already been justified before they were ever born in the flesh because God knows where they stand. He knows they are the only ones He can trust because they have already been battle hardened and proven.
(1Pe 1:1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
(1Pe 1:2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
The elect are chosen because of God’s foreknowledge of them, meaning that He knew them well by how they had served Him. Their spirits were sanctified or made holy or special in His eyes at that time. He knew that they would remain faithful to Him in their lives, except for a few special cases, we will discuss at a future date.
(Rom 11:4) But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
In this chapter of Romans, Paul was reviewing an instance in which Elijah was worried about those who were against him as a prophet of God and against God Himself. God reassures him that He has 7000 of His most loyal children who have not bowed a knee to Baal, which refers to and represents satan, during his rebellion, as these 7000 are reserved until the end. They were to be born in the last generation as a part of God’s plan.
(Rom 11:5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
However, even before the last generation, God also has servants He has chosen and predestinated to serve His purpose as part of His election.
(Rom 11:6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(Rom 11:7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(Rom 11:8) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
These elect are guaranteed grace because God already knows that they will choose Him, which they always do, and therefore He may intercede automatically in their lives to make sure that everything goes as planned for them according to His plan. Although the elect are God’s most faithful and have already been justified, they still need grace and to repent when they sin, because their works in the flesh cannot cover their sins, just as they cannot for any other person–but God knows that they always will repent.
The Israelites of the modern day, which have been scattered all over the earth, to be reunited once and for all when Jesus returns (per Ezekiel 37), do not automatically have grace as a whole. If those of the descendants of Israel want salvation, they cannot do it simply by following the law perfectly because that is impossible. This is why we have Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, because it is no one can live perfectly. Thus, we have grace through Jesus and forgiveness of sins upon repentance. The election, however, automatically receives salvation because they have already been justified by God as He knows their hearts, and therefore He can trust them to do His will and can trust them with the truth of His mysteries (discussed in the article Study to Show Yourself Approved). The rest are blinded from these truths because they haven’t proven they can handle the responsibility that comes with it.
Romans 11 goes on to explain the purpose for which these others are blinded. This will provoke them to learn their lesson in the Millennium. However, many can come out of this spiritual blindness to receive eyes to see if God finds they are able to bear it.
Now we can see that these elect mentioned throughout the Bible are God’s most faithful and have been faithful since before this flesh age began. This should make it clear that God’s elect, His faithful Christians, will be here throughout the entire tribulation. Now let’s discuss the two witnesses through whom God’s Holy Spirit of truth will flow to God’s elect during the tribulation.
(Zec 4:1) And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
(Zec 4:2) And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
These seven lamps are God’s 7000 predestinated elect, and these lamps shine the light of God’s truth to the world. These differ from the 7 candlesticks in Revelation 1 as these are not the candlestick, but are seven candles themselves which all set on one golden candlestick. This means that these 7000 are all united in one mind, agreement on the truth, as gold represents the truth. These lamps are fed by pipes leading to one bowl, again one truth.
(Zec 4:3) And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
On each side of this bowl are two olive trees which feed these seven lamps the golden oil which represents the Holy Spirit and the fact that it is golden means that it is God’s truth.
(Zec 4:4) So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?
(Zec 4:5) Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
(Zec 4:11) Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
(Zec 4:12) And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
(Zec 4:13) And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
(Zec 4:14) Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
These two anointed ones are two servants of God, the two most trusted through whom all truth will come during the second half of the tribulation. For further detail, we will travel to the book of Revelation, chapter 11.
(Rev 11:1) And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
This chapter takes place during the 6th trumpet, which is the time of antichrist, and the temple of God is being measured to see where it stands as far as the ways of God.
(Rev 11:2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
The court without represents those who are not circumcised of the heart, meaning they are not true Christians. These are those who are gentiles in their hearts, even if they are descendants of Israel. True Christians are the temple of Christ as their bodies are temples. Though antichrist will literally occupy a temple, this is a vision and this is what it means symbolically. Satan and his fallen angels and these spiritual gentiles (many of whom are made up of the false jews mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3) will be desecrating the temple where antichrist dwells, as well as those whose hearts of those who are not dedicated to Jesus. The time period mentioned is equivalent to the 3 and a half years of the pre-shortened tribulation time period.
(Rev 11:3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The two witnesses will be here the entire time in which antichrist is here and will witness for Christ roughly the same amount of time, however they will precede him by about 6 days, based on the difference between the lunar month of 29.5 days (evil side of prophecy) and the solar month of 30 days given here in days (the good side of prophecy), plus the fact that they will be killed 3 and a half days before Jesus returns as we will shortly learn.
(Rev 11:4) These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
In this verse, John confirms that these are the same olive trees mentioned in Zechariah 4 and they are two candlesticks each representing the two good churches of Revelation 2 & 3 (Smyrna and Philadelphia) using the candlestick symbology of Revelation 1.
(Rev 11:5) And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
(Rev 11:6) These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Aside from their literal meaning, the two witnesses will have the ability two spiritually slay, by God’s consuming fire, those who would seek to kill them either physically or spiritually, by the swords of their mouths which are the Word of God. And they will also have the power to shut the rain from heaven which is the spiritual growth in understanding that takes place in our minds as God grows seeds of truth into understanding of the mysteries of God.
(Rev 11:7) 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 11:8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Once their time is up, the beast which came from out of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9, satan as antichrist, will kill the two witnesses, and their dead bodies will lie rotting in the streets of the city of Jerusalem, which by then is a city of sin no better than the historical city of Sodom.
(Rev 11:9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
(Rev 11:10) And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
As the two witnesses’ bodies lie lifeless on the ground in Jerusalem, the world will celebrate because these two men have tormented everyone who has been dedicated to antichrist and come against them in anyway. The world will view them like a plague, and they will believe this plague is over.
(Rev 11:11) 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.
(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.
But, suddenly, after 3 and a half days, life will be restored to these two dead bodies and they will rise up, to the dismay of the world, and they will be called into heaven.
(Rev 11:13) 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.
(Rev 11:14) The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
As the witnesses are called up to heaven, the earth will begin to enter into chaos as we are about to hear the 7th, and final, trump—the trump at which Jesus returns and those who have remained faithful will receive their incorruptible eternal bodies, and the rest will be destroyed physically as told in Zechariah 14.
The first woe was the 5th trump, in which the first half of the tribulation takes place, and the second woe was the 6th trump, in which the second half of the tribulation takes place. At the end of this second woe, antichrist will gather his armies and surround God’s elect desiring to destroy them (the battle of Armageddon), but at this very time, the third woe will come, and Jesus will return with His army to wipe out the evil forces on earth, and the 7000 of satan’s fallen angels who are here at that time will be physically destroyed. These 7000 in this verse are synonymous to satan’s own predestinated elect.
(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.
It is at this point that the 7th trump sounds and the tribulation ends and Jesus returns for His second coming. It is at this time that His Millennial reign will begin, from which time He will rule on earth forever, from the Millennium and continuing into the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven in third earth age, Revelation 20-22.
As we have read, nowhere in the scriptures of the Bible is there any time for a secret rapture of God’s most obedient. They will be here on earth in the time leading into the tribulation, through the tribulation, and forever as Jesus returns to rule on earth. It is essential, especially at this time, that all Christians investigate thoroughly God’s Word to divide the traditions of man from the truth in God’s Word. We should never take any man’s word for anything. We will all be held responsible for what we know, and if we never really search the scriptures, we cannot truly know what is written therein. I pray that all Christians will dive into the scriptures to know the truth for themselves.
God bless.
Excellent study!!!