From sex scandals, demonic doctrines, and song lyrics, to disturbing MTV, should Christians avoid Hillsong?
What Signs Must Occur before the Rapture?
What Signs Must Occur before the Rapture?
What signs must occur before the Rapture? Is there a difference in the number of signs that are given for each End Times event differentiating the Rapture from the Second Coming? Everyone agrees that there are several signs that do proceed the Second Coming, but what about the Rapture? Are there any prior signs that need to take place for the Rapture to occur?
The Rapture
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – King James Version (KJV)
Immanence
If there were any such signs needed, then please consider what the Bible has to say about waiting and His imminent return as follows:
Jesus told His Disciples to continuously wait for Him—implying immanence which refers to being “near,” “next,” forthcoming,” and “at any moment!”:
10 …and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 – English Standard Version (ESV)
Continuously Wait
The word for “wait” in verse 10 above is the greek word “anamenein” which means to continuously wait, abide, tarry, and expect. The Father’s actions are swift, discerning, and decisive. He doesn’t waist even a second. God does not always move at our frantic pace. We are too often double espresso followers of a decaf Sovereign and when it comes to waiting, He holds the sands of time. This same word to continuously wait and expect is also used in verse 2 below:
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, continually mentioning you in our prayers;
1 Thessalonians 1:2 – Amplified Bible (AMP)
So concerning imminency and waiting, we are to continuously wait for Christ—meaning He can come at any moment (The Rapture).
Right Outside the Door
9 Brothers and sisters, don’t waste your breath complaining about one another. If you judge others, you will be judged yourself. Be very careful! You will face the one true Judge who is right outside the door.
James 5:9 – The Voice (VOICE)
Christ can step through the door from heaven at any moment. There are no signs that need to proceed the Rapture unlike His Second Coming.
The Rapture vs. The Second Coming
One: Has No Signs vs. Has Many Signs
Imminent Event—Can Happen at Any Time
John 14:1-3
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
1 Corinthians 15:50-55
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9
1 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
4 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
5 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Thessalonians 2:1
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
Proceeded by Many Signs
Matthew 24:29-30
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Revelation 6:1 to Revelation 18:24
(See all chapters between 6 to 18)
1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see…”
Two: Before Tribulation vs. After Tribulation
Occurs Before the Tribulation
Luke 21:36
36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Occurs After the Tribulation
Matthew 24:29-30
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Three: Comes For His Own vs. Comes With His Own
Christ Comes For His Own—The Church
John 14:3
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Christ Comes With His Own
Revelation 19:4
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Four: Takes Saints to Heaven vs. Brings Saints to Earth
Christ Takes the Saints to Heaven
John 14:3
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Christ Brings the Saints Back to Earth
Zechariah 14:4-5
4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south.5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley,
For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal.
Yes, you shall flee
As you fled from the earthquake
In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
Thus the Lord my God will come,
And all the saints with You.
Revelation 19:14
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Five: Comes to the Air vs. Comes to the Earth
Christ Comes to the Air
1 Thessalonians 4:17
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Christ Comes to the Earth
Revelation 1:7
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Six: Only His Own See Him vs. Every Eye Sees Him
Only His Own See Him
1 Corinthians 15:52
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Every Eye Will See Him
Revelation 1:7
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Seven: The Blessed Hope vs. The Great Day of His Wrath
It is the “Blessed Hope” of the Church
Titus 2:13
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
It is the Great Day of His Wrath
Revelation 19:15
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
All Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible (NKJV).
Any Emphasis added into the text is for clarification of special importance only.
Dr. Ankerberg discusses this with Dr. Renald Showers, from the John Ankerberg Show.
Comments
Related Posts
Comments (0)