Five Problems with the Rapture

[@JosephEBass]

God does not have to physically remove us from the Earth, to keep us from his wrath. God has very good aim!

[@christsservant583]

God will send locusts down to earth not at people but down in the earth, he doesn't need to aim.

[@kenklein9120]

I don't see God's wrath in the Great Tribulation. For certain it's in the vials.

[@saberthesabbathseeker864]

💯

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

That's right. The Children of Israel were not raptured out of Egypt. They were protected in the midst of the Plagues (can anyone deny that those were the Wrath of God?). And if one tries to quote Revelation 3:10 [Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.] Then they had better be ready to deny what Jesus Himself said in John 17:15 [I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.] The Lord Jesus Christ (whom many of these people say they worship) Himself denies the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. He prays that the Church not be taken out of the world, yet they say that the Church will be taken out of the world. Choose this day whom ye will believe.

[@saberthesabbathseeker864]

@@VOLKHVORONOVICH GOOD POINT!

[@tominmo8865]

Reason #6. People WANT to believe in this in order to save themselves going through the hard times. If it sounds too good to be true.....

[@godswateringcan1379]

In the parable of the wheat and tares, the tares were gathered first and destroyed. THEN the wheat is gathered into the barn. I would much rather be wheat.

[@ALTheFreeMan]

I’ve heard this point made as well. The only thing is, if the tares are the ones who are taken (raptured), then what happens to the wheat who are left here on Earth?? Revelation Chapter 6 & 7 (especially Revelation 6:9-17) seem to paint a picture that both good people and evil people will be here for the tribulation. 🤔

[@mikeigori2983]

​@@ALTheFreeManThe earth is where the righteous,meek and the godly will live FOREVER.As for the rapture fantasy,you will be destroyed in a moment,in the twinkling of an eye.THAT IS THE TRUTH.By the way,I AM A BLACK MAN from the islands of the sea(Isa 11:11).I don't believe in christian garbage.I don't believe in nephilim bullshit.I KNOW WHO MY CREATOR IS AND I KNOW WHO MY YAHSUAH A'MMASSIACH IS.My redemption is just around the corner,I know what I am talking about.As for you christians,you live in a fantasy dream world of mind slave religion.

[@stevenklinkhamer9069]

Points well taken. The more carefully you examine it - the more problematic this pre- trib rapture doctrine appears to be.

[@BloodBoughtMinistries]

For sure, it is totally unbiblical

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

In a pig's eye.

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

@@BloodBoughtMinistries: How would you know since you have never actually studied it?

[@SoundChristianMusic]

Keep going and realize it all happened in 70 ad

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

@@SoundChristianMusic : The destruction of the temple took place in 70AD. The Rapture has NOT taken place yet.

[@diyoregonnowtexas9202]

Wonderful video sir, spot on. I had been researching the rapture theory myself and keep going back to mat 24-37 but you made me aware of the other verses as well. Yah, it's clear. I keep hearing Christian people say things like my neighbor did, I cant wait to get raptured out of here So I can just go to heaven and not be here for the tribulation, crime and these terrible things. I have gently tried to explain Mathew 24/37 and that the rapture theory calls for closer examination. You can see the frowns, shaking their head and can see they just wont believe it. They say their pastor teaches the rapture theory in church, so thats it! They dont want to hear it or even entertain the idea of doubting him or double checking with scripture. Their mind is made up, period. I'm trying to think of ways to open their mind for discussion on this, but I can feel most people just dont want to hear it. It's strange.

[@manuelester7420]

Pray for them. If this generation is the last generation, we will definitely be here during the tribulation. The rapture is a byproduct of the first resurrection. There is a rapture, just not a pre-tribulation rapture.

[@stephenkammerling9479]

It fits in with their idea of an easy life. No accident this doctrine is more accepted in US than any other place on the world.

[@felixlopezrealestate1806]

Ask them many questions like how does the church overcome or keep the commandments in Revelation. In Revelation during the tribulation overcoming and keeping commandments is a theme. How does the church do that if they're raptured out.

[@TrueBeleiverInMostHighGod]

They are bound by demonic spirit

[@psalm2forliberty577]

I'd point out that we are called to follow Scripture & no Pastor, or teacher no matter how "schooled" is beyond the need to cross check, to make S U R E he's not just repeating errors common to our age. This popular but very anti-Scriptural idea is an A+ prime example.

[@thequadraphonicgospels7829]

When it comes to doctrines likes these, or any teaching of the Bible for that matter, I believe we need to approach it with great humility. Eschatology is a very difficult subject to tackle, an area which we can easily fall into error if we are not careful. Additionally, we must also be careful to not alienate other Christians, particularly regarding secondary issues that have nothing to do with salvation. With much respect to our brother, who is bold and courageous enough to publicly share his biblical views. I would like to add a portion of scripture that perhaps may be overlooked by him and other brothers that disagree with the doctrine of the rapture. When it comes to objections regarding verses in Matthew 24, regarding the rapture, those that disagree with a rapture say that Noah and his family were not taken away ,but rather preserved through the flood and this is true, however what many overlook in the Genesis account is the person of Enoch, whom the Bible says was taken away by God before the flood came. I think this is a very important piece of information because it sets an important precedence of a “rapture”. It appears Genesis chapter 5 , which is one chapter before God commissions Noah to build the ark. God raptures Enoch before he pours out his wrath. Another issue that arises when discussing the subject of the rapture is the nature of the Great Tribulation. There has always been tribulation in this world, Christians all over the world are being killed every day for their allegiance to Christ our Lord. As Christians we will suffer tribulation in this world, in some cases we will even die for our faith. It is however very important to make a distinction between tribulation and The Great Tribulation. The Bible teaches us that the Great Tribulation will be a time where God will pour out his wrath upon the world, upon the kingdom of the Antichrist, from which faithful Christians will be saved from. Again, there is precedence in Genesis. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells is Luke 17:29 that the last days will also be like the days of Lot: Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Notice something important in the wording, the same day Lot “went out of Sodom” it rained fire and brimstone. If your read the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah you will see that God does not pour out his wrath until he gets Lot out of the city. Now If God did not allow Lot, who was not where he was supposed to be, to remain and suffer the outpouring of his wrath, how then will he allow those redeemed by the precious blood of his son to suffer through it. Paul mentions in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that as believers we are not appointed to wrath, but salvation. This is by no means exhaustive, there are many examples in the scriptures like the ones I have referenced, nevertheless I hope this can be a blessing to some, God bless you brothers, To God be the Glory

[@thereturn2361]

The Quad.... Gospels: I appreciate your opening remarks - especially about being respectful of others opinions. That being said, I would like to share some of my experience and then tie it into just one of the ideas you have shared. I believed in pre-trib for many years because that was what I was taught. Then I read John Walvoord's book entitled "The Rapture Question" and it confirmed my pre-trib view. Then a couple of years later I re-read the book with a more open mind. I began to see that many of the arguments he put forth for a pre-trib view really did not hold up. Here is just one example: he argued that the "blessed hope of the appearing of our great God and Savior" was an argument for pre-trib. The reasoning was this: if we had to go through the tribulation, how would his appearing be a blessed hope. During my second reading of his book I realized that the "blessed hope" was a stronger argument for a post trib view than a pre trib view. Just ask yourself, who would the blessed hope of Christ's appearing be more blessed to - people living in ease and comfort before the tribulation or people actually going through the tough times in the tribulation? I don't know about you, but if I were in the tribulation, I would view the hope of Christ's coming as a really BLESSED event! I see the same kind of flaw in your reasoning concerning Lot. I see the story of Lot as a tremendous example of a post trib rapture. As you noted, Lot was taken out of Sodom the same day that it rained fire and brimstone. This is a perfect example of a post trib rapture. Christ will rapture us into the clouds and from there we will be protected from the wrath he will poor out on the beast and the armies allied against him. Your contention that removing Lot before the outpouring of wrath (in a pre-trib event) still leaves you with a major problem. That is this: those who become believers during the tribulation will have to suffer the wrath that the pre-trib believers did not. I will ask you your same question: why will God allow those who become believers in the tribulation "to remain and suffer the outpouring of his wrath, how then will he allow those redeemed by the precious blood of his son to suffer through it." This is just food for thought for you. Personally, I think taking Enoch, Lot, Noah, etc as "proof" or "evidence" of a pre or post trib rapture is extremely flimsy when we have so much solid scriptural teaching on the subject. Anyways, God bless you in your study.

[@madisonwilloughby9525]

For EVERYTHING the Bible has to say about the rapture, dozens of scriptures across BOTH testaments read here: www.madisonwilloughby.com/rapture-of-christs-church.html . Please also read the sister article Rapture:Additional Scriptures. Find the comfort God intends for you as 1 Thess 4:18 and 5:11 teaches!

[@thequadraphonicgospels7829]

@@thereturn2361 Hello Gamewinner: Hope you are doing well, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I truly appreciate the time you have taken to kindly reply to my comment. Truly wisdom and revelation come from God alone, may he alone receive all the glory. I read your comment several weeks ago and have been pondering the points you have brought up, but before I address them, I would like to point out something that I mentioned which you did not address, the nature of the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation according to scripture is the outpouring of Gods wrath upon the Earth, upon satan’s kingdom, which begins with the opening of the seven seals. I mention this because I see that many discussions regarding the rapture, particularly by those that disagree with a pre- trib rapture fail to address this point. Its important for Christians to understand that God is always in control, even the rise of the antichrist, it is not some scheme of the devil that manages to get past God, the anti-christ is in fact a part of the judgement in the great tribulation : 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2 Thessalonians 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Regarding the blessed hope; I have not read the book you mentioned, so I cannot not comment on the authors point of view. What I can say, when Paul speaks about the “Blessed hope” he is not referring to Christians hoping to be saved from the great tribulation. The Apostle Paul mentions the blessed hope in the Book of Titus chapter two, and if we read the scripture in context, we can deduct that the blessed hope has more to do with Christ rescuing the believer from the struggle with the flesh. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The blessed hope is for every believer that is tired of the war and struggle that rages on inside them, it is for every believer that is doing everything he can to please The Lord, yet sees inside him things which are contrary to Gods word and character. Our blessed hope, though it may apply to those suffering tribulation, has more to do with the saint that is sick and tired of sin. The hope that one day we will be with Jesus and he will save us from the mortal corruption that exists in our flesh, to forever be with him in glorified bodies. With regards to those that stay behind after the rapture; One point that has to be made clear before moving on, is the unique identity of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that the Church is unique, those that are part of the Church are neither jew nor gentile ( Galatians 3:28). This is a very important distinction to make, The Church of Jesus Christ is called the Body of Christ, a title that is not given to Israel, a title which denotes a special relationship to Christ which Old Testament saints do not share. The mystery of the Church is a topic worth studying. It is was a mystery up until the revelation in the New Testament. Check this out: Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. Revelation 12:6 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. Before I explain the reason why I’m sharing these verses, its important to identify the key characters that are mentioned therein. The dragon, we know is satan, the woman is the nation of Israel as cited in Genesis 37:9-11, The man child is Jesus, who was born Jewish of the nation of Israel. In Verse 4 it says that the dragon sought to devour the child, but he was unable to, because the child was caught up to God. Follow me here, the scripture says that the Church is the Body of Christ, now notice the specific wording used to describe the deliverance of the child, its says he was ”caught up unto God”, if you look at the Greek word translated caught up, it is the Greek word” harpazo” which is the same word mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where he speaks about the church being caught up together, one of the main verses that supports the doctrine of the rapture. The word harpazo is a special word, it does not mean simply mean snatching away, but implies a strong use of force, a violent snatching away. The reason I believe this scripture has to do with the rapture of the church, before the great tribulation, is because when we read about Christ’s ascension in Acts 1:11, we read that his ascension was a very peaceful event, he was not under any threat when he ascended, the Apostles witnessed him peacefully ascend to heaven, it was not a violent snatching away. It also does not fit with Christ’s death, because satan , the dragon, was successful in having him killed, after all it was the devil entering Judas’s body, through possession (Luke 22:3, John 13:27) that began the events that lead to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, though unbeknownst to him, he was fulfilling Gods plan to his very demise. Glory to God for his great wisdom! (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) Now if you continue reading Revelation 12:6, you read that the woman stays behind, in the great tribulation, which lasts for 1,260 days which is 3.5 years, the length of time which the Bible cites in several places to be the amount of time the great tribulation will last (Daniel 9:27, Revelation 13:4-5). God will once again deal with the world through the nation of Israel, I guess you can say that there will be a change in dispensation. Now God will supernaturally protect some of them, that is why the 144,000 that are sealed in Revelation chapter 7 are specifically mentioned to be of the 12 tribes of Israel. God will protect these, but there will be others that will be saved in the great tribulation as well, but unfortunately, many of them will not have the same protection, some will pay with their lives for rejecting the mark of the beast. (Revelation 20:4) I know this can make us feel uneasy, but it is what the scripture says. Regarding Enoch, Noah and Lot as evidence of pre trib rapture; You may find these examples flimsy, but I would kindly disagree. Remember that it is our Lord Jesus Christ that points to the times of Noah as an example of the end times (Matthew 24:37-38), It was also our Lord Jesus Christ that pointed to the days of Lot ( Luke 17:28-29), certainly you would not characterize his words as flimsy. In my comment I simply highlight details surrounding those events which our Lord is pointing to. The reason why I believe it’s important to study the details of the flood when studying the rapture and the great tribulation, is because the scripture teaches us that the great tribulation will be a world-wide event. The whole world will experience the outpouring of God’s wrath, and the only other time that the whole world has experienced something similar, the only other time there has been a global judgement was during the time of the great flood. One of the reasons why we study the scripture is also to study Gods character, and the consistency of his character through all of scripture. In my comment I simply stated, that Enoch was taken up before God executed his judgment upon the whole world, it would be consistent with his character, that he will also do the same for his church before the great outpouring of his wrath, which is what we see when God does not allowed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to be destroyed, until Lot and his family are removed. Thank you so much my brother for this exchange, I hope that it has been fruitful for you as it has for me, may the Lord bless you abundantly, may he grant us wisdom and revelation to understand his will for our lives, may he grants us power through his mighty Spirit to remain faithful to the very end, whether we live or die we belong to Christ. Glory be to his name!

[@thereturn2361]

@@thequadraphonicgospels7829 The Quad......, thank you for your very gracious reply. I look forward to a very cordial and productive discussion with you. Just to let you know, it may be a couple more weeks before I can respond to you because 1) your post was VERY lengthy and it will take some time to go through it all and prepare a response and 2) I will be crazy busy for the next 2 weeks. I am retired but took a temporary job which will soon be over. But on another note, I really appreciate how you responded to MadisonWilloughby concerning her name calling and judgmental attitude about the condition of my heart. I try always to never call people names when I respond to them. Nor do I judge the condition of there heart. See James 4:11-12. I have found, (and would be interested on your take on this), that whenever someone tells someone else that they need to rightly divide the word, it seems it is always from those who ascribe to dispensationalism. Have you noticed something similar? I thought your discourse with Madison was very Christlike, but I see she dismissed you by not reading your comment and accusing you of being "holier than thou." I do not find your discussion and even admonitions that way. Even though you admonished her about salvation being through Christ and not Christ AND a belief in the rapture, she still maintains that you will be lost if you don't believe in a pre-trib rapture. I have been finding this more and more lately. Anyway, in all of my discussions, I will unapologetically challenge your beliefs but I will also always take the attitude that "I do not yet know as I ought to know." 1 Cor 8:2 So I look forward to our discussion. May God's peace be with you.

[@thereturn2361]

@@thequadraphonicgospels7829 The Quadraphonic Gospels: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. My schedule has eased up and I have now had some time to digest your lengthy response to me. I want to thank you for sharing your views and have thoughts to share with you as well. I have broken your reply into 4 sections: 1) the nature of the tribulation 2) the blessed hope 3) Revelation 12 and 4) Noah, Enoch etc. 1) the nature of the tribulation - I generally agree with you that the great tribulation is the outpouring of God’s wrath. Rev 15:7 “And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.” This verse shows God’s wrath being poured out AND Rev 15:1 “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.” This verse shows that the wrath of God was already being poured out as the bowls would complete the wrath of God. 2) I agree with you that the blessed hope, in context, is referring to Christ rescuing us from our struggle with the flesh and not a pre-tribulation rapture. I had believed that the blessed hope was simply referring to Christ’s return in general. Thanks for pointing out the context for me. I had not considered that specifically. 3) Here is where I have to disagree with you. In Rev 12:5, the man child is caught up to God. You agree that the man child is a reference to Jesus yet when it specifically states that this man child is caught up to heaven, you then say it is referring to the church. Your justification for doing so is because of the use of the word harpazo. First, harpazo is not a violent snatching away. Neither Strong’s nor Vines Greek Expository Dictionary of NT Words says anything about violence with regard to harpazo. Harpazo may imply a forceful snatching but not a violent one. Second, and more importantly, the fact that the man child was taken (even with force) does not warrant contradicting what the passage says by changing man child to church. Third, the man child was taken up to God and to his throne. This is not what happens to the church. Whether you are pre or post- trib, the church rises to meet Jesus in the clouds at his return. Fourth, it appears you are indulging in eisegesis in your view of the scriptures. Eisegesis is the reading into the text of your own personal bias or assumptions. To justify a distinction between the accounts of Christ’s ascension, you say he rose “peacefully” and yet it no where says that. Acts 1:11 says he was “taken” from them. The Greek word is analambano (to take up). This is very similar to harpazo which is: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). 4) I think you will find that if you step back and objectively look at all the teachings of the pre-trib-rapture, you will find that it is all built on eisegesis. This must be so since there are no scriptures anywhere that state the rapture occurs before the tribulation starts. In contrast to and in contradiction of a pre-trib rapture, there are 4 very specific and detailed verses that refer to a post trib rapture. I observe that eisegesis is used more recklessly in the accounts of Noah, Lot, and Enoch than anywhere else. That is why I say it is “flimsy” to use them as justification for a pre-trib rapture. For example, Jesus taught that his coming would be just like it was in Noah’s day. How so? It will come on people who are “unaware” of what was about to happen. Matt 24:39 “and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” To read into this lesson anything else is a stretch. However, if we want to indulge in eisegesis, I can do that also and teach that both Noah and Lot are clear examples of a post-trib rapture. I don’t bother to do that because it is not germane to the topic. One last thing - Enoch. Here is a quote from you: “In my comment I simply stated, that Enoch was taken up before God executed his judgment upon the whole world, it would be consistent with his character, that he will also do the same for his church.” Yes, Enoch was taken up before the flood. That however, is not any indication of what God would do for the church in a pre-trib scenario. You see, God did not take Enoch up to spare him from the flood. Scripture tells us why God took him up. It was because Enoch walked with God. And beside that, Enoch would have died long before the flood came. He would have been over 1200 years old to experience the flood. Methuselah, who is the longest living person in the bible, only lived 969 years. So I don’t really think God took Enoch to spare him of the flood! Let me know what you think of what I’ve had to say. I would welcome a well-reasoned response. May God richly bless you as you study His Word!

[@daystarrises]

Thank you Dr Cooper, Your video is a breath of fresh air. I have been seeking and praying about this for a while. It makes much sense that the end will come like a thief in the night and then the tares and the wheat will be separated after the harvest. I believe we are in the last days of this world. Just a comment here: I had looked on the 'one will be taken and the other left as Christ describing people will be dying over generations and generations. It is like he is saying the end is a long time to come and much tribulation will be endured over generations. Thank you for your video.

[@anthonycook8703]

This is the comment I made on first version of this video: 13:12 "Who are those who are left and who are those who are taken?", speaking of Noah's flood and Sodom & Gomorrah. Good question. Couldn't we equally conclude that it was Noah's family who were taken as the water rose and the ark started to float away, and those who were left were those who drowned in the floodwaters? And in Sodom and Gomorrah, wasn't it Lot's family who fled and were saved (except for Lot's wife) and the other occupants of these cities were left behind and were killed? Just askin. "

[@MissingTrails]

Matthew 24:38-39 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." "They" being the general populace were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage "They" did not know until the flood came and took THEM all away Noah and his family DID know that the flood was coming Noah and his family are NOT the ones who were "taken away ." Forgive my all caps, I used it for emphasis, not to yell over the wires, so to speak 😅

[@LogosMinistries]

Good points! I hadn't put those together like that but it shows God's people are protected when trouble arises. 👍

[@markbirchall2060]

If you read the writings of the early church fathers, (some of whom studied under the apostles), they knew nothing of a pre trib rapture. They all knew the only rapture came at the end of days as decribed by Christ in Matthew 24. The idea of a pre trib rapture appeared as a mystical woman's visions and were then used by Cyrus Scofield to add it into his Bible which became very popular in American seminaries. So the rapture as described is one and same as the second coming at the end of the Tribulation. THis has been the only teaching on the subject until the 1800s when a teenage girl had a vision and it spread into Amercian seminaries where it is now taught as doctrine in nearly all churches in America.

[@dan-Michigan]

I agree with you that the rapture comes later. But the Day of the Lord is the rapture and the Second Coming is when Jesus returns to reign for 1,000 years.

[@manuelester7420]

@@dan-Michigan The day of the Lord is the same event as the first resurrection in revelation 20:1-6 and the same event of Matthew 24 and the same event of 1Thessalonians 4:13 and 2Thessalonians 5. Only one second coming. Never 2.

[@seplemisio6155]

Jude1:14,15 Jesus coming with saints to judge the earth. No rapture at that time. Jesus n raptured saints are back from heaven to judge the wicked, sinners n unbelievers. So you choose to stay under the control of antichrist or look up n watch for the Lord is coming very soon before the wrath to come. God won't allow His wrath on earth while His saints are still on earth.

[@manuelester7420]

@@seplemisio6155 Jude 1:15-15 is the same event of Mathew 24's resurrection and the same event of revelation 20:1-6 and 1Thessalonians 4: The Saints that Jesus returns with are those that sleep in Christ. The dead in Christ. That are in heaven now. Then after they are raised, they meet Jesus in the air. Then the rapture happens and they too meet Jesus in the air. Remember Thessalonians says that Jesus will bring with him when he comes, those that sleep. The dead in Christ. After they are resurrected and meet him in the air, then the rapture happens and also meet Jesus in air. They don't touch down or go to heaven. They fly to mount of olives and as they are arriving, people in Jerusalem start filming with cameras and every eye sees him Comming with all the saints that he just resurrected and raptured. So they see him coming with all his saints the bible says. It's one even as 1Corinthians 15 says. Christ the firstfruit, then those who are his at his coming. It doesn't say (COMINGS) . Only one coming. Revelation 20:4-6 is the first resurrection and the rapture follows it. Ask God for wisdom. If you won't ask him, you're full of pride and hate correction .

[@manuelester7420]

@@seplemisio6155 Yes. And coming with his saints, means he will bring with him those that sleep. The dead in Christ. He returns with their invisible souls after the church is beheaded in the tribulation. The souls under the alter are told this very thing. God will take vengeance AFTER the rest of your fellow brethren are killed. Including the 2 witnesses. Then the tribulation is over and Jesus returns 3 and a half days later and resurrects all his dead in Christ including the 2 witnesses. Then the rapture happens. it's all one event. The same event. 1Corinthians 15:20 describes it as one event where all who belong to Christ, Jew or gentile, are resurrected at his coming. Not in phases as churches are now suddenly teaching for the first time because they got caught in a lie.

[@georgeb9046]

John 14:1-3 KJB Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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. Jesus Christ said those words. Do not deny the words of Jesus Christ!!! He is going to come for his bride!

[@TheWiseMagpie1]

This clarifies "the harvest" in revelations for me. Thank you so much! I can't find a rapture anywhere in the Bible, so I thank God for your explanation!

[@jaycoles2511]

I can’t find bible anywhere in the bible

[@thequadraphonicgospels7829]

Dont worry, we’ll explain it on the way up :)

[@soundimpact4633]

As well there is a place where the angels gather the tares first...Matt 13:30

[@thequadraphonicgospels7829]

@no ,how are you buddy? If you need anyone to talk to, know that I’m here for you.

[@thequadraphonicgospels7829]

@no ok, I’m here for you anytime, take care.

[@marcreyes9158]

Amen I love god so much and I take him as my lord and Saver

[@ImjusJxy_IG]

Amen

[@Kd4xx_]

Amen

[@faby_baby]

Amen!!!! For those who don’t know, Jesus will fulfill you more than anything in this world, I speak from experience (from when i did Romans 10:9-13), he loves you and wants to be in a meaningful (not romantic) relationship with you. :) “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬ If you want proof that Jesus and the Bible are true look a documentary called “Ron Wyatt discoveries 2022” on KZbin and a KZbin channel called Expedition Bible. They both examine archeological sites and discoveries that prove the Bible, and even reference secular sources. (Just don’t convert to 7th day Adventism after watching the documentary) And lastly if you don’t know the gospel and want to be saved search up “abc’s of Salvation Teenmissions” on Google and it should be the first or second result. When you click on it read the whole thing, and do what it says and have faith in Jesus while you are doing it, do not doubt, and if it is hard for you to do what it says, ask Jesus to help you, have faith that he will, and *he will.* God Bless :)

[@MelissaJackson83]

My mom and I were raised jehovah witness, I denounced this religion in my late teens, and my mother did also 10-15 years later. Consider ourselves Christians now. Never have believed in the Rapture teaching. Thank you for shedding the light on this gross misconception of the Bible. It helps me to understand why this is a false teaching. Great video

[@kauaifishing1365]

From one false teaching to another. Praise Jesus your not a JW. Keep reading.

[@kpballa1009]

May the Lord bless you in your guys' walk with the Lord... : )

[@RobertRetano-oo6jy]

.. . , .😅😅

[@RobertRetano-oo6jy]

😅😊😅😊

[@RobertRetano-oo6jy]

😊😅

[@martaprestamo9543]

Pray for me because I found at the beginning of the Pandemic that the rapture is a false doctrine an when I expressed it to my husband he has deemed me a heretic. Looking back to my childhood I was never taught by Sundayschool teachers or pastors about the rapture until I came to Calvary Chapel Puerto Rico 19 years ago, and there is where the koolaid started.

[@michellebehr7669]

The pre-Tribulation teaching is a fable. Your husband is sadly mistaken. I pray you stay stedfast, unmovable in the Scriptures. Each of us has to give account for the information we were given to understand. You've been given a precious gift and I pray you remain faithful to the end! Things are coming to pass in Bible prophecy. This worldwide coronavirus vaccine may line up to fulfill the mark of the beast once it's completed. Time will tell. God keep you safe and give you peace as you endure and persevere.

[@caitlinsoliman1658]

@mal'ak emeth 😄 believing in the rapture or not is NOT A SIN ISSUE lol the Bible says that nowhere. God says you will be hated for my namesake. What about the apostle's killed for preaching the Gospel? Christians are almost guaranteed to suffer. God promises to wipe away every tear in heaven.

[@seekandfind5704]

@@caitlinsoliman1658 re: believing in false doctrine Matt 24:4 And answering, Jesus said to them, See that not any leads you astray.

[@Mr76K1976]

You shouldnt be married to him if he deems you a "heretic"

[@Dilley_G45]

Notice to self. Before trying marriage a second time, sort out theology in greater detail.

[@peterread705]

I have studied the different raptures and there’s no way I can see a pre-trib rapture. Thanks for this video.

[@kauaifishing1365]

Keep reading the word brother

[@johnlewis8934]

Yeah I have been looking at this as well, and it's obvious that Jesus's second coming will be evident and seen by all humanity.

[@vickiwoody7385]

When Jesus calls us home at the Rapture, He does not set foot on the earth; instead we will meet Him in the air. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:" At the Second Coming, Jesus returns on a while horse, followed by the raptured saints: "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [e]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses." (Revelation 19:11-14) It is at this time He will set foot on the earth to set up his kingdom: "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." (Zechariah 14:4) The two are very different events.

[@ronniegrady6843]

When you are studying this. Be sure that your not implying what is happening. For sure the scripture does not imply or say that our lord will return two more times. For example. Meeting him in the air. This does not say that he is not to keep coming. It just says that is the meeting place. One of the most powerful texts that I hVe read is In Mathew 24. Read the first 4 words OUT LOUD in Mathew 24: vs 29. Then finish the chapter.

[@RaptureofSaints]

STEP ONE to Understanding the Rapture is this! 1/ KNOWING what the Greek word Harpazo means, because Harpazo is the Rapture! "Harpazo" is a word that ONLY means to be seized and moved from one place to another! It is very Important to keep this in mind because that is all that this word Harpazo/Rapture means! The word Harpazo is a word that is found in 13 places in the New Testament and in all places it simply means to be seized and moved from its place! a. If I were to snatch a dice out of your hand I would be rapturing that Dice! Satan tries to Rapture Gods Word out of our heart! b. If I were to come to you and seize you and move you I would be Rapturing you! Paul was seized by guards and moved from the Courtyard up to the Roman camp! c. People tried to Rapture Jesus and make Him King! d. Phillip was baptising the Eunuch and as they came out of the water God Raptured Phillip and moved him to another town! e. Jesus was Raptured up to Heaven and sat on the Throne of God many days after His Resurrection. f. God will not let Satan rapture us out of His Hand! g. Paul was Raptured to Heaven and was shown many things. Yes! Rapture/Harpazo ONLY means to be Seized and Moved from one place to another! Its usage in the New Testament is CONSISTENT! It is Important to KNOW that the Rapture is NOT the COMING of Christ! It is Important to KNOW that the Rapture is NOT the Resurrection! It is Important to KNOW that the Rapture is NOT the Changing of our Bodies to Immortal! The Rapture/Harpazo is merely us being moved from this earth into the air to meet Jesus and it will ONLY happen ONCE the Resurrection takes place!! The Rapture/Harpazo is a VERB word and it is the Action by which we will be Gathered Together to meet Jesus in the air! I HOPE this helps many to First of all UNDERSTAND just what the word "Harpazo/Rapture means !!!!!

[@tenderock7777]

Rapture of the Saints.....Great job.. keep up the work of TRUTH...Jesus.....way too many non truth people in here telling satan's greatest lie to the church. We are supposed to be working for Jesus telling TRUTH...not all the pre trib lies.

[@RaptureofSaints]

@@tenderock7777 AMEN! PRE TRIB LIES! Pre TRIB FALSE PROPHETS that we MUST NOT follow and Must NOT BELIEVE as Jesus Himself said!

[@kareizaamune429]

@@RaptureofSaints Hello there. Keep up the good work.

[@matthewhughes3749]

it really saddens me when i read comments on youtube by christians really attacking one another that is just not God's heart at all we are respond in a loving way because God watches our every words just because it's online doesn't mean he doesn't not see he sees just as much as what we say online please respect one another and be kind to one another when you comment

[@karlajimenez907]

yes thank you, these comments sections sadden me :(

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

There's also such a thing as casting one's pearls before swine. You might remember, in Acts Chapter 13:10-11, what Paul said to Elymas the Sorcerer. "O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." Not exactly very loving. But he got the job done. Once you realize how dangerous, and evil the lie of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is, you can not cut its promoters any slack. Rebuke them soundly in the name of the Lord.

[@sidtech04.]

It’s not fun being a Baptist who disagrees with the rapture

[@calebneff5777]

Great video Dr. Cooper. It's been 5 years, any chance you could revisit this in full? I was raised Pentecostal but am kinda in this gray area now where I'm moving more traditional but still believe in a lot of of the spiritual side of charismatics. Anyway, if I have one complaint of Pentecostals its that they were swept up by dispensationalism, and the rapture is a major teaching that accompanies that. I'd love a full examination of this topic, so I can go to my parents with it. I know they'll listen to scripture, they just need to know what it says on the matter.

[@DrJordanBCooper]

I've been thinking about doing one of these on dispensationalism and another on amillennialism.

[@sbwmurray3988]

@@DrJordanBCooper Darby and Scofield please.

[@joycebegnaud9645]

@@DrJordanBCooperlooking forward to it, this video just popped up today for me 🥰

[@joycebegnaud9645]

@@sbwmurray3988Definitely would love to hear that. I have just recently learned some new things about this. And I’m wanting to learn more myself 🙏

[@lookingup82]

Watch some teachings of Jack Hibbs and Amir Tsarfati. Both have excellent teachings on the Rapture. Amir teachers many things thru Jewish tradition, the why it is set up that way. EScatology is important.

[@GeneGruber]

Fellow believers : This brother is correct . Matthew 24 and the Book of Revelation are about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD70 by the Roman army.

[@denzelminimo1883]

Yup. The first Roman-Jewish war.

[@Possum880]

@stringdok Amen

[@melaniebaynes2730]

I think it's a bit of both. Yes, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 70AD, but there is zero evidence that Christ returned and then reigned for a thousand years. Scripture doesn't say that He clears off, leaving everyone who believes in Him behind, when Satan is released from the bottomless pit, so where is He? Nor has there been a thousand years of perfect peace in the world. The Bible is a living book, it speaks to and of, every age, and so certainly the Book of Revelation, plus several cross references in other Books, speaks to the current age. Some of Revelation will have passed, but it is by no means finished. And I have never belonged to any organised church, I came to my Bible study free of any denominational indoctrinations, and I had never heard anything about 'the rapture'. Reading and studying the Bible free from those influences, I did not, and still do not, read in the Scriptures, anything about a rapture. To begin with, I have studied the history of the Bible, and the church (that is, the true church, the body of Christ, not the counterfeit physical built structures called churches), and I know that over the millenia, hundreds of thousands, if not even millions, of Christians have suffered for their faith in Jesus, so why should we be any different? What is so special about all of us? I think Matthew and Revelation are very clear, that the church does go through the tribulation. I believe that is the true sorting of the wheat from the tares, and those who endure, they will be protected here on earth, just as the Israelites were protected by the Passover lamb's blood around the doors, before the pouring out of God's Wrath. Prior to that, the whole church will go through the tribulation period. I am not rigid with what I understand of it so far, I am open to other possibilities (except for the second Coming having already occurred, have looked and don't agree with that), but I don't see any other way of seeing and understanding it so far. I keep looking and watching, but at the end of the day, I believe the single most important thing is to keep focused on Jesus, keep in study and just be ready for whatever comes down the line.

[@richardfrerks8712]

I totally fell for the John Hagee rapture doctrine... Now I'm not afraid I will be left behind... Thank you.. Open the Church up please.. My church has been closed for almost 1 year.

[@LuxuryLenoxLuditoryLuthorLob]

May the good God be with you in these final days, Amen

[@inTruthbyGrace]

YOU: "My church has been closed for almost 1 year" Why seek ye the living among the dead?.... Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: *_Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching._* (Heb 10:22-25)

[@carlcizek1611]

#1. It is historic. The catching up was not only taught in the First Century it was in “practice” before Paul’s conversion. Acts 1:2, Acts 8:39, Luke 24:31 2 Corinthians 12 2 Corinthians 14 1 Thess 4:17 Rev 12:5

[@Swiftninjatrev]

You used the assention and Philip as a proof text? Bru you're joking.

[@carlcizek1611]

@@Swiftninjatrev Yes they are proof texts of the supernatural involvement of the catching up in practice.

[@markalaniz113]

Church of Philadelphia, let no man take your Crown..

[@derrelleggert5953]

Very informative! I’m a 27 yr dispensationalist who didn’t know what it even was. More questions than answers since my eyes are opening

[@lucienne.m]

This is a brilliant explanation all of these people expecting the rapture to happen anytime now are going to be disappointed but the Lord will keep the righteous and destroy the evil ones.

[@jessebourneau6426]

I have studied and devoutly believed the rapture all my life, so good to hear a concise and persuasive proposal to the contrary. Don't know if I'm in complete agreement yet . . . wish we could have coffee sometime.

[@BoundyMan]

I'm a Seventh Day Adventist and we agree with you. Interesting to hear what you said about Luke 17. I always thought it meant the one taken were saved and the one left behind was lost and would die. That's something to think about.

[@TruthSetFree-zm1ep]

Sean Boundy Please my Friend watch the KZbin channel called : Test the Prophet Remember many false prophets will come Mathew 13:33

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

Cult.

[@johnlewis8934]

Same that is something to think about

[@SpotterVideo]

Once a person comes to understand the New Covenant promised to Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which is found fulfilled by Christ during the first century in Hebrews 8:6-13, and Hebrews 10:16-18, and specifically applied to the Church in 2 Corinthians 3:6-8, and Hebrews 12:22-24, modern Dispensational Theology falls apart, and the pretrib removal of the Church falls with it.

[@SpotterVideo]

Dr. Kelly Varner: Daniel chapter 9 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKWTfWV4Za-deq8

[@bugoutbubba3912]

You might also do a concordance search in the New Testament, of the word "elect". You'll find there several passages that suggest that the elect are still on earth during the tribulation. If you agree that there is a parallel between these scriptures and the present.

[@jc3132]

Thank you pastor for sharing. The Lord God bless you.

[@alcidez.A.Torres]

Every eye will see him when Yeshua returns

[@nancygreen8186]

I read my Bible pretty much by myself and I never put together the rapture. I put together that the word was saying we go through the tribulation and then Jesus comes..back

[@michellewarren386]

That's how I felt like I was in the days of Noah!

[@geraldmoore1836]

Gettimg close but a lot o sings are here now Domt ignore.

[@rustynut1967]

I agree with everything you said except those that endure to the end going to Heaven in the rapture. My understanding is we are changed and MEET Him in the air and are with Him as He returns. Very similar to Him being ushered into Jerusalem on a donkey as the Lamb, but now returns on a horse as the Lion and we meet Him in the air to usher Him in.

[@thermscissorpunch1787]

As someone who was raised in a family and churches that taught of the rapture - specifically in an Independent, Fundamental Baptist and an Independent Quaker Church - but, am questioning the Biblical basis for such an event; I’d like to say that I appreciate this video. However, I do have one minor, or maybe not so minor to some, issue with what was discussed and how it was addressed. The first and largest issue was the repeated use of the phrase “Secret Coming of Jesus.” I understand that many base their knowledge of a “Rapture Doctrine” do so on the popular Left Behind series but, these books were always thought of by my family and spiritual leaders to be incorrect on many levels that I won’t delve into here as they involve Pre and Post Tribulation theology as well as whether or not Salvation would be attainable post-rapture. However, the issue here is that we were never taught that the rapture would a secret Second Coming but, rather, a public, highly visible, event that would be seen and heard worldwide. It would then, somehow, possibly by the work of the Anti-Christ be dismissed or explained away to the masses (alien invasion, some form of terrorism, etc.) and might ultimately be used by the Anti-Christ and Satan’s forces as a catalyst for unifying the world under one government body headed by the Anti-Christ. The idea being that the people who were “left behind” would be so distraught and angry by the loss of loved ones, coupled with the capacity for humans to deny even that which is painfully and plainly obvious; that they would desire - or possibly have their “hearts hardened” by God, just as he did to the Pharaoh in Exodus - any explanation that denied God and their damnation. I realize that to some this may sound funny or odd - especially when you involve possible talk of “aliens” in relation to the Bible - but, to those raised in this teaching, it may go farther and reach more hearts to understand how nuanced the views around a rapture actually are for many. Again, thank you for the explanation and I apologize for the long comment.

[@madisonwilloughby9525]

For EVERYTHING the Bible has to say about the rapture, dozens of scriptures across BOTH testaments read here: www.madisonwilloughby.com/rapture-of-christs-church.html . Please also read the sister article Rapture:Additional Scriptures. Find the comfort God intends for you as 1 Thess 4:18 and 5:11 teaches!

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

The whole idea of "airplanes suddenly having no pilots" and similar stuff, is something that people generate out of an overactive imagination, and a severe misunderstanding of Scripture. For instance, the Bible talks of the angels gathering the Elect, but there is not a single hint of this causing world wide confusion. It's a matter of folks building their houses on sand, basing scenarios on that which has no Scriptural proof.

[@txgsu43]

Throwback video from back before Dr. Cooper could afford academic garb.

[@rhondaray6488]

Folks should study the book of Ezekiel. It tells more about what is coming in the final days then the book of Revelations. There's no rapture. The gathering of God's people is an army and we'll have to stand against those who've sided with the anti christ. In Ezekiel God speaks against the teaching of the rapture theory.

[@johnlewis8934]

This was a great video I appreciate your help on this topic

[@tonic-music]

Whats up with that guitar strum that shows up several times in the video? Like at 8:46 and 14:32

[@BrandonHanners]

Kind of sounds like it could be Windows notifications getting picked up by the mic

[@psalm2forliberty577]

I find it humorous that the main star of the "Left Behind" movies, Kirk Cameron, no longer believes in this common but ill founded "secret Rapture" doctrine. Kirk is a very active & sincere Brother in Christ & today adheres to Postmillennialism. LOL Praise GOD 😅

[@matthewsetzer5251]

Great teaching ,thank you brother

[@lc-mschristian5717]

As a young Christian I believed in the Rapture because that was the teaching I was under. As I studied the Bible I had to leave the rapture; it is now LEFT BEHIND.

[@bradmyers7109]

LC Have you now come to believe based on the biblical texts that after the events of 1 Thess 5:15-18 and John 14;1-3 that you will not go to heaven where God the Father is?

[@lc-mschristian5717]

@@bradmyers7109 At death I shall be with Christ until the Resurrection. Then I will receive a perfected body without sin and live forever on the new earth always pleasing God.

[@bradmyers7109]

@@lc-mschristian5717 I believe that too. My question is this. Do you believe that after the events of 1 Thess 4:15-18 and John 14:1-3 the CHURCH will be taken to heaven where God the Father is with the many rooms?

[@lc-mschristian5717]

@@bradmyers7109 On the LAST DAY, the RESURRECTION DAY, Christ will return and Judge all who has ever lived. Those who are alive on that day will be immediately changed, those who had died will return with Jesus and receive their new bodies. This is the end of time and the beginning of eternity.

[@bradmyers7109]

@@lc-mschristian5717 You are just like a liberal on conservative TV programs that will not give a straight answer to a simple question so they veer off and talk about something else. People reading this can see you do this. You are contradicting the words of God in John 14:1-3 because you do not believe the Church will be taken to heaven. You also do not believe the Church is being married to the Lamb of God in Rev 19 or that the saints are the ones riding on the white horses.

[@k9builder]

Pastor Cooper, not to speak out of place, but as a fellow Lutheran, I would like to recommend an older book about this topic. The title is "Things to Come for Planet Earth". It was written by Aaron Luther Plueger in 1977 and published by Concordia Publishing of St. Louis. It is a good read and refutes much of what Hal Lindsey was teaching about the rapture and end times during that era. I agree that the rapture, as it is understood by most evangelicals, is not taught in scripture. I am often amazed at how often they try to predict this event and fail, only to try again, which of itself seems to be evidence that the doctrine is likely false. I won't say that they are false Christians, they may truly be sincere, just sincerely wrong about a particular issue.

[@Genexus8]

If we read the harvest it should be clear that we should desire is to be left, especially if we read the harvest and psalm 37. We should then be able to take comfort in the truth that the wicked shall be removed. Love the work God is doing in you, keep up the good work he has entrusted in you to speak his truth brother.

[@mayzuno4969]

Great argument!!! I’ve been looking for a thorough, clear agrumen against rapture that is clearly unbiblical. Most pastor preach for rapture but something inside me has always felt it doesn’t make sense. Why would Jesus give people yet another chance to believe in him and repent.

[@bradmyers7109]

May Of course you must believe it is unbiblical to believe that after John 14:1-3 the people go to heaven, there is a marriage of the Lamb in heaven , and the armies of heaven riding horses are the saints in Rev 19. Something inside of me says your beliefs of a rapture at the Second Coming doesn't make sense.

[@lorimassacci143]

@@bradmyers7109 You will go through the tribulation if you’re alive, the rapture doctrine was invented in the 1800s, so get ready for the horrors you’ll witness.

[@bradmyers7109]

@@lorimassacci143 There is not one single church father before the 1800's that believed the Faithful Church was going to be on earth during the trumpet and bowl judgments. We are already witnessing tribulations and horrors under the leadership of the Biden administration. Get ready for more.

[@shadow96433]

Exactly. And if the pre-trib rapture was a thing, why was that not given to the Believers in the Old Testament, order profits, or the Disciples of Christ? Aside from Enoch and Elijah of course. If Jesus was going to come get his children secretly, why would he need a trumpet?

[@VictorianMaid99]

You are correct that it is a a pop culture idea. Darby invented the idea in the 1800s to sell books and tapes

[@pressurewashingTampa]

What kind of tapes were available in the 1800's? ...Lol

[@VictorianMaid99]

@@pressurewashingTampa great question. It was the idea that was important. They knew their idea was going to be propagated due to the popularity.

[@kareizaamune429]

Thanks for throwing great light on this topic. This is sooooo true.

[@madisonwilloughby9525]

For EVERYTHING the Bible has to say about the rapture, dozens of scriptures across BOTH testaments read here: www.madisonwilloughby.com/rapture-of-christs-church.html . Please also read the sister article Rapture:Additional Scriptures. Find the comfort God intends for you as 1 Thess 4:18 and 5:11 teaches!

[@denzelminimo1883]

Bro. Cooper, I agree with you, even if I came from a different Christian Church.

[@rohaltom]

Pre-tribs believe the entire 70th week of Daniel equates to "the Day of the Lord's wrath'. This is simply not taught anywhere in the scriptures. A closer look at both old and new testament clearly teaches that God's wrath begins with the heavenly signs of the sun turning black like sack cloth and the moon turning red like blood. It is at this point that people are literally seeking shelter underground. The next obvious question should be what exactly is causing the sun and moon to do this. This celestial event is very likely a solar micronova. There is physical evidence on the Earth and moon that the sun has had massive outbursts in the ancient past with the last one happening about 12,000 years ago and likely caused the Younger Dryas extinction event. Read "Flashes from Normal Stars" by Dr. Bradely Schaefer. The seven trumpet judgements and 7 bowl judgements follow immediately after the heavenly signs. Most of these judgements seem to fit with a large solar event such as a third of the green grass being burned up and 100 pound hailstones falling from the sky. This blast will literally rock the planet as stated in Isaiah 13:13 "Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger" (also Isaiah 24:20 and Haggai 2:6 among others). The faithful will certainly be "raptured" prior to this event just as Jesus himself says in Matthew 24:31 regarding angels gathering the elect. I believe we are now in the transition phase that leads up to the final seven years. We should all do our best to prayerfully search the scriptures for understanding.

[@madisonwilloughby9525]

I'm a pre-tribber and I believe no such thing. For EVERYTHING the Bible has to say about the rapture, dozens of scriptures across BOTH testaments read here: www.madisonwilloughby.com/rapture-of-christs-church.html . Please also read the sister article Rapture:Additional Scriptures. Find the comfort God intends for you as 1 Thess 4:18 and 5:11 teaches!

[@madisonwilloughby9525]

@Jeff Hayes They didn't get raptured because the harvest of the earth hadn't yet dried. Revelation 14:14-16. The rapture hasn't happened yet! When it does, everyone who died as a part of the church gets to leave with Jesus at the rapture! They will get their reward a full 1,000 years sooner than those who have died, or will die without being martyred. Only God knows when every person who will accept Jesus as Savior has done so. At that moment, God will send Jesus to collect the church. The day to day persecution of Believers has nothing to do with the timing of the rapture. Believers were dying for the faith when Paul told them that 'we who remain alive will be caught up in the clouds...' This ISN"T about "well Jesus died for us and we certainly aren't better than Him, the disciples died for Jesus and we certainly aren't better than them, or there are people dying all over the world for their faith and we are no better than them, so we must die also to prove ourselves worthy." God's end time schedule is NOT built on human logic. It's built on this: Those who trust Jesus to save them will leave with Him at the rapture. Those who trust in being present for the tribulation will remain behind for it. God will give each person than in which they trust. This is working out one's own salvation in fear and trembling as Philippians 2:12 tells us.

[@Seesah3kids]

Where are you getting the idea of a secret rapture from? I've never heard it preached, taught, or talked about as a secret and quiet event. While I don't know if all will hear the shout or the trumpet, Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:27ththat His coming would be like lightning that shines from one part of the sky to the other, from the east to the west. I spent nearly 20 years in a Baptist church and have never heard the rapture referred to as a secret and quiet event. Just curious as to where/who you got the idea of/information about the rapture being a secret and quiet event.

[@usselpasoable]

pastor, I once heard a great reason for the meeting in the air. The billions of people would require such a place to be together

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

And what makes you think there will be billions? As said in Luke 13:23-25, "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:"

[@JesusProtects]

@@VOLKHVORONOVICH because revelation also mentions a multitude of saved people that no one can number. In comparison there will be a lot less saved than condemned, but the number is still a big number.

[@FirefighterAliveJC]

I’m pretty sure the number of Christians from the time of His death until even now would equal 1 billion. However, that’s nothing compared to how many are not numbered among them.

[@OpieApproved]

Please direct your attention to Revelation 14 and Rev 19. It may shed light on this subject for you. If you pay close attention in Rev 14 there was a reaping of the saved, along with the 144,000 Jewish people from the 12 tribes of Israel that Christ will take with him. It was later revealed that they were those that triumphed during the great tribulation. Key point in this chapter is what is said about those that will die in Christ from that point on as the seven last plagues would then be released. Then on Rev 19 Christ comes back with his army for the great battle with the beast and reign a millennium before the earth and the heavens shall pass.

[@christsdisciple3105]

I think the best rebuttal to this is Revelation and Daniel. In Daniel, we are told that there will be one last week(that is, one last set of seven years) that is separated from the others, which are between Israel going back to their country and Jesus being crucified. These seven years are the Great Tribulation. These events are talked about in Revelation, where we see it is God's wrath being poured out. We are told that we are not destined for... wrath...

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

The Wrath we are not appointed to, is the Wrath of God at the Great White Throne Judgment. Try to remember that there have been many "Wraths of God" since the beginning. The Flood was the Wrath of God. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrh was the Wrath of God. The earth swallowing up Korah, Dathan and Abiram was the Wrath of God. The Ten Plagues of Egypt were the Wrath of God. Burt if you remember, God did not allow seven of those plagues to touch the Hebrews in the Land of Goshen. Likewise, the Lord will protect His people on the Earth, not by taking them out of the Earth (read John 17:15, for Jesus' refutation of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture), but by His special protection, even while they are on the Earth. And if it be His will that you be slain, then consider the great jhoy and beauty of a Martyr's Crown. Remember Stephen.

[@MisterN0b0dy]

The English phrase “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 17 translates the Greek word harpazo, which means “to seize upon with force” or “snatch up”. The Latin translators of the Bible used the word rapturo, the root of the English term “rapture”. At the rapture, living believers will be “caught up”, translated into the clouds, to join the Lord Jesus in the air. Paul uses the words “clouds” and “air” to emphasise the reality of the event and draw attention to the fact that there are multiple examples in Scripture of people having already been raptured (“caught up”), including Enoch, Elijah, Philip, Paul, John and of course Jesus at His ascension. The description of all these events uses the same terminology to describe the catching away, and Paul intentionally uses the same terminology in 1 Thessalonians 4; an event distinct and separate to the actual Second Coming of Christ to earth. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand about His return, so taught about it in a context they would be very familiar with; He spoke of His Second Coming in the context of the Jewish marriage custom; that’s the key to understanding this. This is something completely missed by those following a reformed theology. If the rapture does not exist, how could the bride (the church) come WITH Jesus at His return? In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52) Jesus comes for His church and takes her to His Father’s house (John 14:3). In contrast, at Jesus’ Second Coming with His saints, He descends from heaven to set up His Messianic Kingdom on earth (Matthew 24:27:31). There is a difference between the two events. This is further evidenced by how the rapture is characterised in the New Testament as a “mystery” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54), that is, a truth not revealed until its disclosure by the apostles (Colossians 1:26), whereas the Second Coming was predicted in the Old Testament. In fact, the oldest prophecy uttered by a prophet was given before the Flood and was about the Second Coming given by Enoch (who himself was raptured without seeing death) and quoted in Jude 1:14-15. In summary, the movement of the believer at the rapture is from earth to heaven, whereas at the Second Coming it is from heaven to earth. At the rapture, the Lord comes for His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16), while at the Second Coming the Lord comes with His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13). And the coming of Jesus with His saints commences Christ’s LITERAL Millennial Kingdom on earth where He will rule from the throne of David in Jerusalem; something else missed by those following an amillennial, reformed theology.

[@kevinmcnally273]

Well said thank you GOD bless in JESUS name amen

[@albertj65]

You know I really think that if a person read the entire Bible on their own without anyone telling them how to interpret the Bible, I don't think they would come up with a pre-trib rapture doctrine.

[@snackpup]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZDTiqVoYrpmns0si=TwueekSw4NF1fKhU

[@paulfabys]

Your third point from Luke made me think of this Scripture: "9For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. 10Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11But the meek will inherit the landb and delight in abundant prosperity." Psalm 37

[@sbubb9155]

Added scriptures that tells us its best to be left behind. John 17 ( Immanuals prayer ) 2 Esdras 13 v 16-25 2 Peter 1v5 Is Ch 24 Book of Enoch Immanual is coming soon. Is 7v14 Mat 1v22-23

[@Kman.]

At the RAPTURE, it's NOT good to be left behind. At the 2nd COMING, it IS good. These are two TOTALLY different events that will take place at two DIFFERENT times.

[@Wkumar07]

Dr. Cooper, I was raised in the Evangelical tradition and the theory of the rapture was part of my religious education. In fact, I can still remember quite vividly attending a youth conference where the rapture was taught as doctrine and that in order to be believe in Christ one must also believe in the rapture. As an adult I have left most of my fundamentalist beliefs behind but none more so than the idea of the rapture. My own private study of Christian theology and church history convinced me that the belief behind the idea was incorrect. Thank you for creating a short video outlining these concepts for others that have questions.

[@eliolsen745]

Why don’t you look into Catholic Church?

[@Wkumar07]

@@eliolsen745 I did once.

[@RaptureofSaints]

Yes! W Kumar! The Pre Trib Fable is a Lie made by man that Contradicts the Very Word of God, the Words of Jesus and Paul and Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and all other Prophets! Jesus will be Coming exactly as Prophesied!

[@StephanMarcDubois]

If those that were are the ones that are "taken/destroyed", then the "ones "that are left are the righteous and are left to go through the Tribulation? Many scriptures state that we are not called for judgment, but for righteousness.

[@romans116spiritualwarrior7]

Tribulation is not judgement. Gods wrath and the tribulation period are two different things. We are not appointed for wrath. However we will see tribulation. Peter was crucified upside down. Jesus clearly tells us we will have to endure these things

[@markbauch2600]

@@romans116spiritualwarrior7 God's judgments occur during the tribulation. You can read about them. I'm not saying that these are his judgment day judgments but are judgments of his wrath during this time of tribulation brought on the saints of God by satan and the world

[@Edmar_Fecler]

Great video; and i’m just gonna be blunt with my 2 cents real quick. Frankly i find the concept of a “everyone’s magically sucked up so they dont have to deal with some hardships” rapture disgustingly insulting. Its a spit in the face to all the Christians who have suffered and died for their faith, those highlighted in Revelation’s 5th seal; and goes against the very nature of being Christians. As Christians it is out lot in this life to suffer, for we live in a fallen world rife with the persecution of those who reject God and Jesus. If there is to be a rapture, frankly i believe it would come in the form of mass genocide as the result of a grievous influx of persecution. To imply God’ll just give out a magic “get out of jail free” card to whoever just so happens to be alive at that moment is one of the most unbiblical things i can think of.

[@bradmyers7109]

Edmar Here are my two cents . So you must believe the Faithful Church must be on earth to suffer God's wrath on the wicked in the Trumpet and Bowl Judgments that contradict God's word.

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

@@bradmyers7109 Two points: Matthew 24:9-10 says "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. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Jesus spoke of the coming of a universal persecution and apostasy. That will take care of most of the Church, the Faithful and the False. Secondly, the Wrath of God was poured forth on the Land of Egypt. Were the Hebrews raptured out of Egypt? Were they not rather protected, even while in the midst of the land? And it is a curious thing that the Israelites suffered, like the Egyptians, through the first three Plagues (Blood, Frogs and Lice) they were spared the Flies, Murrain, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness and the Slaying of the Firstborn. Exodus 8:22-23 says "And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be." I find that to be a very curious thing, that the Hebrews, the People of God, were protected from the Final Seven Plagues of Egypt. Coincidentally there will also be Seven Final Plagues upon the Earth before the Lord Jesus returns. And if God protected the Children of Israel in the Land of Egypt, though He did not take them out of Egypt until the Plagues were over, I do not see it as a strange thing that he will also keep and hold His believers and protect them from His Wrath, though He take them not out of the world until the final Plague is done.

[@bradmyers7109]

@@VOLKHVORONOVICH Read Rev 16:17-21. God is pouring out His wrath on the entire world not just Egypt. Your view contradicts God's word because you believe that after the events of 1 Thess 4, Matt 24:31 and John 14:1-3 the church will not be caught up to heaven to the Father's house or even be in heaven to be married to Jesus in Rev 19:1, 7-9. This is not what the early church fathers taught.

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

​@@bradmyers7109 The only argument we accept is from the Scriptures. If the Church Fathers are mentioning things not in the Scriptures, why are you even bringing them up? I was referring to the events in Exodus (specifically, the final Seven Plagues of Egypt) as a type of what would occur during the Pouring Out of the Seven Vials in Revelation 16. And it still applies. As God gave His protection to the Hebrews in the Land of Goshen (and to all of Pharoah's household who regarded the Word of the Lord), even so will He protect those of His Saints (those that are alive and remain until the Coming of the Lord) from the Wrath that will consume the world. The only thing I'm contradicting is your interpretation, which in a number of points is at variance with the Word of God. What I'm saying that First Corinthians 15:52, First Thessalonians 4:16-17 and Matthew 24:30-31 are speaking of the same event. Scripture nowhere talks about the Church being snatched up to Heaven. We meet the Lord in the Air. The Armies in Heaven are on their way down as He is about the begin the Millennial Reign. We're with Him when He's in the air. We're with Him as he makes His way to the Mount of Olives. So shall we ever be with the Lord. I'm sorry your interpretation is at variance with what the Scripture teaches. As far as the Father's House? Have you not read Revelation 21:2, 9-10? “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” This is the Bride-not the Church. The Church is Christ's Body. So there is no Church marrying Christ. That the Church is the Bride of Christ is one of the most evil, and Satanic doctrines ever concocted, and is just one more idol and strange God that the Church must put away.

[@bradmyers7109]

@@VOLKHVORONOVICH You said " What I'm saying that First Corinthians 15:52, First Thessalonians 4:16-17 and Matthew 24:30-31 are speaking of the same event. " You conveniently left out our Lord's words to the church. ALL Post-Trib advocates believe that John 14:1-3 is part of the rapture events along with( 15:52, 4:16-17, 24:30-31. Jesus said He is going to prepare a place in the Father's house IN HEAVEN. The Father's house is not on our earth. You said there is no church marrying Christ. You are contradicting the word of God in Rev 19: 1 7-9. If you do not marry Christ in heaven ( Rev 19:7-9) you are not part of the faithful church .

[@carolynpruitt4489]

Thank you. Was looking for a video to help explain why I don’t believe in the rapture. I am simply a believer follower of Yeshua the Messiah, Son of God. Great video! Thanks for posting it.

[@balkee42]

So y are all these folks having rapture dreams amd what not

[@Mpurplemea]

I feel you

[@harrisonmasih1873]

Don Corleone .........2 Thessalonians 2 King James Version (KJV) 2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 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. 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; hope this clears the confusion.. if not please contact me again..

[@balkee42]

Harrison Masih what is the falling away

[@harrisonmasih1873]

Don Corleone --- rebellion ἀποστασία (apostasia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's Greek 646: Defection, apostasy, revolt. Feminine of the same as apostasion; defection from truth. In simpler terms brother, it means that people will defect from the true gospel message that Jesus, Paul and the disciples taught. Jesus taught repentance from sins.. this was the base of nearly all his messages... but getting back to the point people will have itching ears and will believe more in doctrines of men and devils and so this means they believe in what they want to hear instead of wanting to hear the actual truth which is Jesus.

[@AndreaMendoza-ym9ep]

I guess they’re wrong. People have been having dreams of Jesus coming back soon for awhile, and yes as the world gets older we will get closer, but there’s no such thing as a secret rapture

[@campingalbertacanada248]

Bless you Brother. Happy Sabbath.

[@zmanawsome]

I would be very interested to see you do a video on the millennial reign.

[@BmxByron1994]

it says the lord will come from heaven meaning he is coming to us

[@tarrahhubbell1177]

This is part of the great deception,, the great falling away.....how many people will forsake God because they werent beamed up before literal hell on earth breaks out

[@kareizaamune429]

Yeah. God help us. We need more videos like this out there.

[@AndreaMendoza-ym9ep]

i- THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE

[@AndreaMendoza-ym9ep]

mal'ak emeth idk why i commented that, but my main point is that there is no pre-trib rapture

[@AndreaMendoza-ym9ep]

mal'ak emeth I did not spit on anything and plus why are you being so aggressive. I didn’t do anything to you. If the rapture itself was true, not just Bible stories, then it would have it’s own passage in the Bible. I do not underestimate God, plus do you know you created the “rapture”? Just some men who had a misunderstanding and created false hope.

[@AndreaMendoza-ym9ep]

mal'ak emeth And who are you to say I just committed a sin? Do you know what God is thinking right now? Do you know how He feels about this? You can’t make decisions for Him saying that what I just commented was a sin. It’s funny you think I’m going to hell because I don’t believe in the rapture. Sorry I don’t believe in a theory made up by men. Also who are you to say I’m not going to heaven? You’re not the judge here, God is. So humble yourself because pride is a sin.

[@jpzolo58]

I agree with you 100%. The church is being taught this without studying for themselves.

[@mak88119]

How do you explain I Thes 4: 13-17 3 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 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: 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. and also note the Church is no longer mentioned after Rev 4

[@roccohoon2628]

all info you mention can happen during the 2nd coming 1 time event the dead people will come alive and we will be caught up like the verse said this can happen the same time God can make multiple events happen in quick session including judging everyone

[@brucegolston6507]

A. What this does not say is that it happens before the tribulation or before the antichrist is revealed. Pretribulational presuppositions cause people to hallucinate things that are not there. B. The church not being mentioned is not the same as the church not being present. Does it say that the church is gone? No? Then it is wrong to assume that it is.

[@jacobstefanec7683]

The word εκκλησία (church) is neither used in Mark, Luke, John, the first 15 chapters in Romans, 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, or Jude. I don’t think the lack of it after revelation 4 means too much.

[@thereturn2361]

@@jacobstefanec7683 Excellent reply. I have also done the same search you did and found that just because the word "church" is not in the text, it doesn't mean it is not there or the scriptures don't apply to it. All new testament believers are part of the church and there are obviously believers in the tribulation as the antichrist wars against them.

[@connierosario9474]

The clouds and the air are not heaven. Jesus will be in Jerusalem and all would go up to meet him. Notice the Lord will DESCEND. and we will be WITH HIM. When the dead rise it's still on earth, as in the dry bones of the old testament and Lazarus, the young girl, and Jesus himself in the New Testament.

[@daveester6839]

Correct. ⚠️ There is no secret rapture, nor is there a rapture before the tribulation. And the tribulation only is only the second half of the 7 year covenant, then Jesus returns after the 7 years is over. Revelation 20:2-6 calls it the first resurrection. Because its the first resurrection, you can't have any other resurrection before it or before the tribulation. Therefore, the rapture cannot happen before the tribulation, because the rapture happens right after the resurrection. After the first resurrection that is. And since the first resurrection happens after the tribulation, so does the rapture, because the rapture follows the first resurrection. The dead in Christ rise first in the first resurrection. Read the following verses in the Bible and put it all together. Its all the same event. Matthew chapter 24: verses 29 to 31. 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 Revelation 20:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 15:22-26 All these events are the same event. Just spoken about in different books of the Bible and each verse gives details that the other verses may not have mentioned. But they're all the same event and it all happens after the tribulation. At the 7th trumpet, which is the (last trump) the last trumpet. The Bible says that Jesus returns to raise the dead at the last trump. Thats the 7th trumpet. When does it blast? It blasts 3 and a half days after the tribulation is over. 3 and a half days after the 2 witnesses are killed. Read all of revelation 11. The 2 witnesses are revived and caught up to heaven and then the 7th trumpet blasts. That 7th trumpet, is the same trumpet that Matthew 24 talks about, that is used to raise the dead and gather the elect both dead and living. Its the same event. There is no pre tribulation rapture. Yes there is a rapture but its after the tribulation.

[@MyChannel-eo8ic]

Redeemed Zoomer sent me.

[@JoWilliams-ud4eu]

Epic.

[@LyleCooper]

"all this is wrapped up together as one event..." WRONG! It will be TWO events separated by seven years. All the events of Revelation chapters 8 through 18 will happen BETWEEN the rapture (a coming only to the clouds) an His coming to Armageddon.

[@julianaallen8477]

I definitely don't believe in a pre-tribulation rapture but do believe there will be a rapture. If you read Matthew 24 30-31 and 1st Thessalonians 4.. there are a few similar things going on as if they are the same event.. hmm..

[@LyleCooper]

@@julianaallen8477 Juliana, do you remember Paul telling us we must "rightly divide" the Word of Truth? The truth of scripture is that when Jesus was alive on the earth, He know NOTHING about Paul and the special dispensation (Ephesians 3) given to Paul for the Gentile church of today. Jesus did not know that a few years after He would raise from the dead, His Father God would put blindness upon the Jews, stop the Jewish timeline, start a Gentile timeline, and send Paul to the Gentiles. Jesus could not have known any of this for it was all a mystery Hidden in the Father until some years after Christ rose from the dead. The gospels were about the Jews and for the Jews. Jesus was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. It would therefore have been impossible for Jesus to have mentioned anything about Paul's rapture, for it would remain a mystery until a few years after Jesus ascended. Finally, we should look, not only for similarities between passages but also the differences. Did you compare the TIMING of Matthew 24 with the timing Paul gave us for his rapture? Paul shows us that the rapture would come JUST before God's wrath as in the Day of His wrath, also called the Day of the Lord. On Revelation's timeline, WRATH begins at the 6th seal in Revelation Chapter 6, while Matthew 24 timing of the gathering would be in Revelation chapter 19. The truth of scripture is that all the events in Chapters 7 through 18 must and will take place between the 6th seal start of God's wrath and Jesus coming to Armageddon. Therefore, what you suggest is simply impossible when one rightly divides the Word of Truth.

[@goinghome553]

This is One of the reason we left the Lutheran Church. They believe in the traditions of man instead of studying the Bible. It’s sad. Enoch was a type and shadow of the rapture.The Bible didn’t say it would be a secret. At the rapture He meets believers in the air 7 years later He steps on the Mt of Olives.

[@johnharrington6122]

Pam Wendell , Amen!

[@atanasiogreene8493]

Pam Wendell the doctrine of rapture is a tradition of men as you say because it was created in the 1830s by British preacher John Nelson Darby. If you go by that logic every church is following the traditions of men because you go by the interpretations of other men

[@paulcummins6780]

@@atanasiogreene8493 Justin Martyr believed in the rapture. Do you research.

[@atanasiogreene8493]

Paul Cummins he believed in premilennialism not a rapture itself

[@MarkProffitt]

There is *No Pre-Tribulation Rapture* 2 Thessalonians: Antichrist is revealed before Jesus returns. 1 Thessalonians: The dead in Christ rise before the living. 4:15-17 Revelation: Many will die refusing the Mark of the Beast. 20 - First resurrection 14, 19 - false prophet & people who received the mark of the beast, cast alive into a lake of fire 13: Beast makes war on the saints & overcomes them 7:14 - they came out of great tribulation Matthew 24:29 - Immediately after the tribulation of those days... 1 Corinthians 15: 52 - at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

[@davejohnson9462]

Love your videos, my friend

[@jimoaks9270]

historical? it was hid in God from the foundation of the world. (Eph 3:8,9) there are several dispensations otherwise we all would build our own arks and still be sacrificing critters. God told different bible characters different things! who called it a secret? Jesus doesn’t descend “to the earth” for the rapture. one taken, other left is at the end of tribulation and it refers to separation of the tares and wheat. Paul doesn’t discuss 2 Jesus trips because the body of Christ won’t be here for the 2nd trip at the end of the tribulation.

[@JosephEBass]

God does not to physically remove us from the Earth to keep us from his wrath. God has very good aim!

[@madisonwilloughby9525]

No, He doesn't have to, but He has promised to and either you trust Jesus to keep that promise, and leave with Him at the rapture, or you place your trust in the tribulation and stay behind for it. It's really that simple. And scary.

[@madisonwilloughby9525]

@4:48 AM Those verses reference the second coming of Christ, NOT the rapture of the church. You cannot build a sound doctrine on the rapture, OR any subject, by using a verse or two out of context. You must use everything the Bible says about any given subject, in order to properly understand what God wants you to know. www.madisonwilloughby.com/rapture-of-christs-church.html

[@thomaspudgy6623]

More and more, I'm beginning to believe that these types of questions do more to separate than unify those with faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, because every doctrine and dogma, like The Rapture, is subordinate in importance to our preeminent belief and faith in Jesus Christ. That said, I am not, yet, convinced that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation, but I sure hope it does happen and I certainly understand why some call it the "Blessed Hope"; the opposite belief holds the promise of a hell on earth, for all living believers. As to your point that you say disprove the pre-trib rapture, I find them unconvincing. As others here have already pointed out, the promise that Jesus gives to the Church of Philadelphia, in Revelation 3, indicates that Church and, possibly, others finding themselves in a similar "open door" situation can certainly hope to be kept from the tribulation. Also, your "taken-left" analysis, while agreeing with the Catholic view, may leave something to be desired. For examples, couldn't one say that Noah, Lot, and their families, the Israelites in Egypt, as well as Enoch and Elijah were all "taken", from their respective "worlds", while leaving others to face the realities of a world without Jesus? Just food for thought.

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

Regarding Revelation 3:10, [Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.], many use this as a "proof" of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. But John 17:15 completely discounts this. "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.] The Lord Himself denies the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. He prays that the Church not be taken out of the world; they say that the Church will be taken out of the world. Now as far as "types" that some use to promote a Pre-Tribulation Rapture belief, Noah and Lot (both being taken out of the Antedeluvian world, and Sodom, Gomorrah, respectively) are, contrary to popular opinion, not forerunners of the Rapture. They are, rather, examples of those who escape the Great White Throne Judgment. There is no escape for the wicked and sinners who stand before God on that Day and are not covered by Christ's Blood. Likewise, other than Lot and his family and Noah and his family, no one escaped their respective conflagrations. But, during the Great Tribulation period, there will be those who come to repentance, as it says in Revelation 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." The Israelites in Egypt, in effect, were raptured out of Egypt after the Wrath of God in the Plagues was levelled on the black land. And the Israelites were protected from seven out of the final ten plagues. Just so shall the remnant of the Church on the Earth be protected from the Wrath of God in the Seven Vials in Revelation 16. And Enoch was "raptured" exactly six hundred, sixty nine (669) years before the Flood, which hardly looks like the "escaping by the skin of their teeth" of Noah and Lot. Lastly, Elijah, was not taken away to avoid some great terrible judgment. And if Elijah was supposed to represent the Raptured Church, what was Elisha supposed to represent? Can't say that he was an unbeliever who got "left behind."

[@thomaspudgy6623]

​@@VOLKHVORONOVICH Thanks, for your reply to my post. In my opinion, the only "proof" of truth comes from God and not from what you, I, or anyone else says, so I won't say you are wrong and that I or anyone else is correct in their view of the Rapture. Like a lot of other beliefs that individuals and churches hold, the truth is what it is. The one key truth that supersedes all other beliefs is our reliance upon Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Other than that, we can discuss amongst ourselves what is true or untrue, hopefully without fear of eternal correction. With that said, it can be argued that John 17:15 was being said about those followers of Jesus who were present at that time and not about future believers, as stated in John 17:20, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word". In any case. I can appreciate that believers want to escape the tribulation, as described in Revelation. In fact, I can even pray for that reality. We'll all know that truth soon enough.

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

@@thomaspudgy6623 [1] It could be argued that John 17:15 was not referring to future believers-but not very convincingly. For one thing, look at what the verse itself says-“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” So, did God keep them from the evil, or did He not? Peter-crucified (at his own request) upside down. James- beheaded by order of Herod Antipas, Andrew-crucified on an X-shaped cross. Philip-uncertain. Bartholomew-skinned alive. Thomas-stabbed with spears. Matthew-slain with a halberd. James, son Alphaeus-beaten and stoned to death. Jude-hewn to death. Simon Zealotes-crucified. John-only one of whom there is no account of his death. So that passage doesn't seem to apply very well to those at the Last Supper. In fact, I see no reason that would limit it to just those-and not, rather, to all who have believed in Him in the future. The only reason one might want to believe so, was because they have already decided to believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture-and this is one of the (many) verses that disprove it. But Scripture absolutely demonstrates that Jesus (in verse 15) was not praying just for the disciples at the Last Supper-because in verse 20, He says-“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” I just reread what you wrote. You first of all write, “...it can be argued that John 17:15 was being said about those followers of Jesus who were present at that time and not about future believers, as stated in John 17:20, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word"” Have you really read carefully what you wrote? You say that John 17:15 might just be talking about the eleven at the Last Supper-but you bring in verse 20, which does not confirm your point, but completely disproves it! Jesus specifically prays, not just for the eleven-but for all the believers who would come after them. And while they would not be kept from suffering, they would be kept from the great evil. You're proving my point.

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

@@thomaspudgy6623 [2] Now earlier you said that such things as the Pre versus Post Rapture debates serve more to divide the Church than to unify it. I'm going to answer that. If I'm discussing music with someone and I tell them I like Classical, and they tell me they like Country, we don't have an argument or a debate. These are matters of taste and personal preference. But if I tell that same someone that 2+2=4, and they try to argue that 2+2 is really 7, then we have a problem, because this no longer a matter of taste and preference. It is a matter of truth and falsity. 2+2 can either equal, 4 or it can equal 7-but it cannot equal both. If one of them is true, the other must be false. Now I can take two quarters and hold them in my left hand while in my right hand I hold two other quarters. Then I take the two quarters in my left hand and put them together with the two quarters in my right hand and I then have, in both hands, four quarters. By these actions I have just proven that 2+2=4. Most people would agree with this. But what happens if this other person refuses to accept my proof? What if they try to say, “Yes-but because of the Law of Bongo Bongo, the second two has to be regarded as a five-thus 2+2 actually equal 7.” Would you not say that such a person had lost their mind? At the least you would think that they had no grasp of science, mathematics or logic. Yet this is exactly the kind of thinking that the believers in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture exhibit. As you say, “I can appreciate that believers want to escape the tribulation, as described in Revelation. In fact, I can even pray for that reality.” But we do not search for the Truth in Scripture based upon what we think the Bible ought to say; we don't filter it through our own wishes and desire as if they are the basis of reality; as if God is bound to consult our hopes and dreams before He can be allowed to act. If it was simply a matter of personal taste and preference, there would be no reason for me to write. If it was just a matter of one or two verses, there would not be enough to make a strong case in favor, or against. But when the Pre-Tribulation Rapture believer brings forth Scripture to prove his point-and I can refute every single one of them and show what the Scripure is actually saying... Scripture does not allow multiple interpretations-yet people continually offer them. For instance, Jesus said that not even He knew the Hour of His Return-but how many out-and-out heretics have figured that they knew better than Jesus and predicted the date of the Rapture? And how many of them have been right? In not making a stand because of what you call the “fear of eternal correction,” one might be in danger of even greater eternal correction. A Christian should know what he believes. And that belief should be firmly founded on Scripture. He should have invested sufficient time and study and above all-prayer to determine the Truth of Scripture. To any who think my attitude to cocky and self-assured to actually have a handle on the truth, I respond that I was not raised to think that to be a Christian means to be timid and uncertain and vague; neither was I raised to believe that the Truth of Scripture was determned by voting upon it. So, I say (with the four beasts of Revelation)-“Come and see.” Show me your proofs and I will show you what the Scripture actually says.

[@VOLKHVORONOVICH]

@@thomaspudgy6623 [3] Second Peter 1:20 says-“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation...” This in no way means that if we come up with an idea on our own it can't be true. Neither does it mean that Tradition must first determine what we believe and that if we are proposing something different from a thousand year old tradition, we are automaticlly in the wrong. Rather, the word “private” is translated from the Greek word, “Idios.” “Idios” is the root of our English word, “idiot.” But “Idios” doesn't have the same meaning-the sense is different. “Idiot” is defined as someone with an I.Q. anywhere from 0 to 25. But “Idios” gives the sense of “separation.” That is, an “idiot” was separated from the common run of humanity because of his almost total inability to communicate and interact. Thus, when Peter says that no Scripture is of any private interpretation, he is saying that no Scripture is to be “separated” from its place in Scripture and taken out of context. And that is what a lot of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture believers do. They find a Scripture or two and they thnk they have proven their case. They keep it all on the surface and never go very deep in their research. They don't think they need to.

[@chadhudson4500]

I was raised in a church, denomination, that taught the pre-trib return. When I got into my 30's I wondered why the end times passages were so difficult to understand. Once I changed my mind on the pre-trib rapture, those passages made much more sense. My God is not a God of confusion...

[@michellewarren386]

I had a rapture dream and the weird thing is my ex drew a picture of a raptur/T Rex type thing I've been grieving for 3 years and I had s near death experience and all the scriptures opened up and I believe it's the soul that gets raptured... There's more to the story!

[@catsclub12566]

What do u mean

[@harrisonmasih1873]

hey there sister in christ....if there is no scripture (in the right context) to back up what you saw in your dream.....then the bible says not to be easily shaken by it.. have you prayed about it? i think it would be a good idea to adk God about what the dream was aboutand also the bible says to test every spirit.... to see if it is from God or not.

[@AndreaMendoza-ym9ep]

the soul???....

[@dawn8601]

I seen where women where having dead babies but Jesus showed me there souls in his hands.

[@lunarbunny3021]

@@catsclub12566 if the pre-tribulation rapture exists at all...it’s a rapture of the soul and not the body In other words..you’re going to die

[@3360274]

I grew up in the Southern Baptist churches, but have attended others, as well. When the plagues were sent to Egypt, the lamb's blood on the door facings had the angel of death passover that house. I believe this is the kind of protection we will have once it gets really bad. I ask my friends that believe in the pre trib rapture about the Apostles that walked with Jesus. John was the only one to live to an old age. I believe so he could write Revelation. Judas killed himself, all the others were executed, or stoned. So, if these walked with our Savior, Jesus, and they were tested, do you think we will not be tested? Most wind up with a bewildered look on their face. As many details as Scripture reveals about the tribulation, certainly it would be clear if we were to be rescued before it gets bad. Get yourselves prepared, it is going to get interesting. Remember, Noah prepared.

[@kingdavid5529]

The great tribulation is nigh, even at the doors.

[@antonralph6947]

Says who?

[@kingdavid5529]

@@antonralph6947 me.

[@connj67]

King David Sorry. Nope. The end (of the OT age) came in 70AD.

[@kingdavid5529]

@@connj67 sure, one of the manifestations of it did. You don't understand prophecy if you are saying that dude. Prophecy repeats in cycles over and over again (in general)

[@donhaddix3770]

Where did the term 'rapture' come from? Regarding the term rapture and its use in theology the following should answer your questions. It is taken from Ryrie’s Basic Theology, Electronic Media from Parsons Technology. Our modern understanding of rapture appears to have little or no connection with the eschatological event. However, the word is properly used of that event. Rapture is a state or experience of being carried away. The English word comes from a Latin word, rapio, which means to seize or snatch in relation to an ecstasy of spirit or the actual removal from one place to another. In other words, it means to be carried away in spirit or in body. The Rapture of the church means the carrying away of the church from earth to heaven. The Greek word from this term “rapture” is derived appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, translated “caught up.” The Latin translation of this verse used the word rapturo. The Greek word it translates is harpazo, which means to snatch or take away. Elsewhere it is used to describe how the Spirit caught up Philip near Gaza and brought him to Caesarea (Acts 8:39) and to describe Paul’s experience of being caught up into the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2-4). Thus there can be no doubt that the word is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to indicate the actual removal of people from earth to heaven. ***Editor's Note: The Latin Vulgate actually used a different form of the same verb-- "Rapiemur" instead of "Rapturo." The point and connections Ryrie is making remain the same.*** harpazó 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: to seize, catch up, snatch away Usage: I seize, snatch, obtain by robbery. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance catch, seize, take by force. From a derivative of haireomai; to seize (in various applications) -- catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). see GREEK haireomai

[@granthodges3012]

Denying the Rapture just means you don't know the Bible.

[@arthurwatt4144]

In thessalonians paul talked about the dead rising caught up in the air at jesus second coming. The bible talks of a second coming not a third and no secret stealing away. A trumpet shall sound and every eye shall see.

[@AndreaMendoza-ym9ep]

So everyone saying “JESUS IS COMING BACK VERY VERY SOON!!” are wrong then...because the rapture is a false teaching. It literally makes no sense. Why would it be a “secret”. Like, when Jesus comes back it’s going to be a big event, not split into two. We will all go through the Tribulation

[@connj67]

Andrea Mendoza Sorry, Jesus said that that generation would witness the Destruction of the Temple and the End of the Age. The Apostles very clearly said they were in the Last Days. The culminated in 70AD.

[@AndreaMendoza-ym9ep]

connj67 Mm well as the days passed I am more aware of our situation, thank for bringing up to my attention.

[@FAITHandLOGIC]

Well done. The Rapture is a lie.

[@kingnothing2161]

I watched a video explaining that in the Greek, Paul talking about being caught up to meet Him is the same/similar vocabulary to describe when the people met Jesus outside of the city of Israel, to escort him in

[@kushadasi]

Thank you very much! Can you say something about the man of sin? Do we have to wait for a future antichist, is the word temple meant literally? I know what Luther thought of, but it is not satisfying to me. 2.Thess. 2,3-8 and 1. John 2,18 + 4,2

[@RaptureofSaints]

Paul told us the Truth in 2 Thessalonians 2 that Jesus will NOT be Coming to gather us Together to Himself UNTIL the Son of Perdition is revealed! If it was Good Enough and Important enough for Paul to Warn the Church about this Truth then it is Good enough and True enough that we are to Declare the same Truth today! Jesus will NOT be Coming to Gather us Together to Himself UNTIL the Son of Perdition is revealed! We MUST NOT be deceived by a spirit, by anyones letters and by anyones words!

[@madisonwilloughby9525]

For EVERYTHING the Bible has to say about the rapture, dozens of scriptures across BOTH testaments read here: www.madisonwilloughby.com/rapture-of-christs-church.html . Please also read the sister article Rapture:Additional Scriptures. Find the comfort God intends for you as 1 Thess 4:18 and 5:11 teaches!

[@LEORofYAHWEH]

SHALOM brother, there are, in my opinion, many more strong scriptural proofs... appreciate the vid as encouragement, seems the vast majority are deceived on this issue... we need to commune and lift up each other, because i have even questioned myself for the majority's pressure... we need to refresh one another. it makes me realize that we are IN IT.. many and FEW, yes, and the many could possibly be the ones sitting next to us at the church house... good to have our discernment exercised!

[@johnharrington6122]

LEORofYAHWEH , bad to have doctrines of men taught! Paul warned Timothy of this very thing that’s happening to the body of Christ!

[@johnharrington6122]

This is so sad! I’m sorry for you and your doctrine of men! This is the very thing the Apostle Paul warned about.My wife and I were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro Ca. where Lawrence Christianson was Pastor in the 1970’s, a leader in the Charismatic Movement at that time.We left when we moved. I think they would have been appalled at your teaching! All the early Church fathers followed Paul’s teaching of the Mystery of the Rapture! I hope and pray for you that you come to understand Paul’s fellowship of the Mystery! Blessings, John

[@goinghome553]

John Harrington Amen! Yes we need to pray that their spiritual eyes open to the truth soon! Things are falling into place so it won’t be too much longer!!

[@atanasiogreene8493]

John Harrington the early fathers did not believe in this it is found no where in the church fathers it did not come around until John Nelson Darby created the doctrine of a rapture in the 1830s. If you think they are going by the traditions of men then you are as well because you are following interpretations and interpretative traditions of other men.

[@candyclews4047]

@br1anm150k I watched the video in your link but two glaring mistakes surfaced. First problem is Pope Francis regularly affirms that Jesus is the Christ, the God-man, something Scripture tells us the Antichrist will not do (see 1 John 2:22, 2 John 1:7). Second problem is that 'Vicar of Christ' means Christ's representative on earth. The Pope certainly does not stand in place of Christ. Even some Protestant Churches have 'Vicars' because that is what this word means - a 'representative' of Christ, here on earth. Such ignorance leads people astray.

[@RaptureofSaints]

Where is the Verse where Paul said that the Harpazo/Rapture was a Mystery! No One can Provide that Verse because Paul Never ever ever said in any way that the Harpazo/Rapture was a Mystery! That Statement is a False Teaching and a False Misleading Statement by Pre Trib Teachers and it Dishonours the True words that Paul said! Where is the Verse where Paul says "The Rapture/Harpazo is a Mystery!??????

[@kingdavid5529]

Nobody in the early Church taught this doctrine. It was invented a couple of hundred years ago and is not in the Bible. This doctrine will cause many people, small and great in the Church to deny Christ, as they will disbelieve in Christ as this will not happen - but this is not what Christ taught.

[@bernardmichaud1099]

These are the verses used buy those who hold to the "Rapture", which occurs before the 7 years Tribulation. 1 Thess. 4:13-18 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 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: 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. These are the verses depicting the resurrection at the Second coming, after the Great Tribulation. 1 Cor. 15:51-52 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. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. To me these verses refer to the same events, and is the Second Coming.

[@rovingwolverine5786]

is there a cat strumming a banjo in the background?

[@DrJordanBCooper]

Not that I noticed...

[@bobbuilder7222]

@@DrJordanBCooper 8:45

[@Swiftninjatrev]

@@bobbuilder7222 lol

[@marshamerington]

Technically the whole Bible is about a rapture (Harpazo) is the greek word "caught up" yet the scholars can't even see the forest for the trees. Gen 2:22 and God brought Adam his Bride (the church) 1st Adam, 2nd Adam, Song of Solmon is about Christ and His Bride - She gets swooped away in chapter 6:11. "Come back come back Shulamite they cry. ... "The godly have vanished and no one seems to take it to heart. Isaiah 57:1

[@dafflad1]

Crapture

[@ladyblakeney]

Anyone else have the Thessalonians passage explained away as only Christians will hear the trumpet and shouting?

[@engineer775]

You are so misleading to build the straw man of a secret rapture. It is not secret and it is crystal clear in first Thessalonians.

[@LyleCooper]

"There is a parenthesis; the time period of the church..." Good job, Dr. Cooper! The church age is, indeed, as a parenthesis inserted into the Jewish time.

[@memeboi6017]

Heh? What does this have to do with Jews?

[@LyleCooper]

@@memeboi6017 In Daniel 9, it is clearly written that the entire 70 weeks (of years) is for Daniel's people, the Jews. As for the final week, Daniel 12 gives God's purpose for the 70th week: to utterly shatter their power. I take that to mean, to bring Israel as a nation to a place where they have absolutely NO HOPE unless God comes to their rescue.

[@vickiwoody7385]

Nowhere in the Bible does it say the Rapture will be secret.

[@johnharrington6122]

Vicki Burleson , secret and Mystery are the same thing!! You need to study to show yourself approved!

[@vickiwoody7385]

@@johnharrington6122 Definition of 'secret': not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others. Definition of 'mystery': something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. As you can see, they are not the same thing. The Rapture is a mystery, not a secret.

[@eduds6]

@@vickiwoody7385 learn to understand metaphors.

[@paul35777]

Hello . In john 14 verse 1 - 3 Lord said : Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In 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. 3And 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." when we must go to heaven with Jesus and in Fathers house ? Lord said that where I am, there you may be also " where is Jesus now ? how we can go to heaven ?

[@deneentorkelson6131]

Thank you for helping me understand why we Lutherans do not believe in the Rapture. The point I found the most interesting is that the ones taken are the damned, not the saved! ✝️

[@williamredfield6006]

@deneentorkelson6131 - It has been 4 years... Have you continued your study of Scripture? I ask because you wrote, "The point I found the most interesting is that the ones taken are the damned, not the saved!" You understand that the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) are a segue from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, correct? If so, it is because you noted in the Gospel of Matthew that Jesus on two separate occasions pointed out that His ministry was to the LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL (10:6; 15:24). With that in mind, you also noted that in Matthew 24:15 Jesus makes a specific reference to the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION spoken of through Daniel the Prophet, which led you to study an amazing book in the Old Testament, Daniel, who spoke about this abomination and what it is and to whom it is directed, which helped you make sense of why Jesus in Matthew 24 also spoke about fleeing Jerusalem and praying that that flight might not be on a Sabbath. The Sabbath, and all the Sabbaths of the seven Feasts of Israel, like the Feast of Unleavened Bread for instance (two Holy Convocations in that one - Leviticus 23), are a sign between God and Israel (Exodus 31:12-18; Ezekiel 20:10-20); therefore, it is not directed at the Church, that is, the Body of Christ made up of believer's (John 3:18), who are sealed with the Holy Spirit of God unto salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Colossians 1:24-25). As to the ones taken in Matthew 24:40-41, we see the wicked removed as Christ Jesus establishes His Kingdom on earth following the catastrophic events of the Tribulation. Unfortunately, this does not concur with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 or John 14:1-3 or 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 where it is believers that are taken and changed and brought into the presence of God the Father. But you already figured that out, didn't you? Is it not amazing that we live in a time where we are witnessing the fulfilling of prophecy before our very eyes? Israel is back in the land and Jerusalem has become that burdensome stone to the nations (Zechariah 12:2-3). Does the question ever come up, why is there always so much news about Jerusalem? or, Why has the United Nations during its history levied so many more sanctions against Israel than all the other nations combined? Well, you've been studying God's love letter to humanity, so, I'm sure you've got the picture well in hand. To the Glory of God and His Christ!

[@mochamarie9741]

Revelation is a Book of Comfort for those who accepted the Cross and facing persecution now!!! Horrendous horrible things are happening all over the world right now! Voice of the Martyrs, Jay Sekalow is also showing many truths!! America is soon!