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The Supernatural Exodus of the Church of Jesus Christ
The timing of the rapture, the
truth of Rapture, the debates.
To nonbelievers reading this
subject has to do with one of the promises that believers in Jesus Christ
have been given providing those believers are ready when this event occurs.
This event has to do with being caught up supernaturally in the skies with
the Lord, before the Lord pours out his wrath upon those who reject Jesus
Christ and accept the false messiah also called Antichrist. The main focus of
the debate which surrounds this event is not if it will happen, but when. The
information that follows has to do with this debate. Please understand this
particular document is not entry level instruction. It's written to those who
already have a good basic understanding of this event and the debate that
surrounds it. I hope you will read it anyway. Remember do not divide the
Lord's Church over a secondary issue. Remember, we are saved by the Grace of
God through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Does
Rapture occur pre-tribulation, mid-trib or post-trib?
The
following questions are asked to determine whether or not you accept the
authority of the Word of God. Since God is not a God of confusion, there must
be a correct interpretation to the (approximate) time of this event.
Following will be numerous questions related to this event. After you have
answered these questions review these scriptures, footnotes, and statements
so you may determine if you answer is correct within the Word of God.
QUESTION 1. (READ: 1st Corinthians 15:51-56 before answering.)
Since this scripture is speaking on one of the mysteries of God (Rapture) and
Paul says it will occur at the last trumpet. Where and when does this trumpet
occur in the book of Revelation?
NOTICE: Paul doesn't say first, second, or third trumpet, but last,
which is the seventh.
Before you answer Question 1. read the below
scriptures from Revelation. Pay special attention to the following key words
while reading these scriptures. The key words are LAST TRUMPET and MYSTERY.
Remember, in the book of Revelation the last trumpet is the seventh.
(REVELATION 10:5-7) * (REVELATION 11:15-16) * (REVELATION 14:12-16)
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your translation substitutes the word VOICE
for the word TRUMPET, then study the original languages for the Greek and
Hebrew to determine your final answer in what context trumpet is used. You
will find that trumpet is used in a physical sense as well as spiritual. Also
remember God speaks with a trumpet voice as well as a still voice.
QUESTION 2.
Where in relation to Revelation's trumpet call is the last trumpet blown?
(seventh trumpet) And how far into the tribulation does the blowing of the
seventh trumpet occur?
QUESTION 3.
Is this last trumpet which Paul was speaking of in 1st Corinthians the last
trumpet described in Revelation? (REMEMBER: The last trumpet in the
book of Revelation is the seventh.) If you do not agree, then what did
Paul mean by last trumpet, especially since we agree that this event Rapture
occurs at the end of the church age. Once again if you do not agree that the
last trumpet Paul spoke of is the same last trumpet in Revelation, then why
did Paul associate the term last trumpet as a description for defining a
period of time when rapture is to occur? And of course if your
not in agreement then what last trumpet is Paul talking about if it's not the
last trumpet of the trumpet call of Revelation?
Let us now look at this in more detail from scripture then will go from
there. Holy Spirit in the mighty name of Jesus Christ's I ask for your Wisdom
and for wisdom and understanding to be given to your children who are called
of you to understand this.
1 Cor 15:51-57
51 Lo ! I tell you a mystery. We shall
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 52 In a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last 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. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,
Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave,
where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin
is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Commentary note on: 1 Cor 15: 51-52
In verse 51 and 52 above we see the words Mystery, Last Trump and the word
raised. Paul obviously is talking about a resurrection here of believers
otherwise he would not use the word RAISED in respect to the dead. He is also
talking about the end of the church age. With those things in mind lets look
at God's Word some more.
Revelation 10:5-7
And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his
hand to heaven, 6 And swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created
heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that
therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should
be no more delay 7 But in the days of the trump of the seventh angel,
when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be
finished, as he has declared to his servants the prophets.
Commentary on Rev 10:7
Now here in Revelation 10 verse 7 we see the Word "Mystery"
and the promise that when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet the
Mystery of God would be fulfilled. We know the 7th angel in Revelation is the
same one who blows the 7th trump. Here in Revelation 10:7 is only the promise,
the angel is not sounding it here. Now lets look
further into the Word of God.
Revelation 11:15-18
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our
Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four
and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their
faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give you thanks, O LORD God
Almighty, which is, and was, and are to come; because you have taken to thee
your great power, and has begun to reign. 18 And the nations were angry, and your
wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy
servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear your
name, small and great; and that you should destroy them which destroy the
earth.
Now in the scripture above we have the 7th Angel sounding his trumpet. Notice
that the it says here in verse 18; "your
wrath has come" speaking of God's wrath and also "the time of
the dead that they should be judged." We know these are believers
because it says the servants, the prophets and the saints. Also rewards are
spoken about. You only give rewards to children in the kingdom. This is the
resurrection Paul is talking about in 1st Corinthians. It occurs at the
blowing of the Last trump which is blown by the 7th angel. We also know these
are believers in Jesus because the white thrown judgment resurrection for the
rest of the dead, does not occur until Revelation
20.
One additional note on God's wrath, notice from Revelation 11:15-18 above
that until this scripture God's wrath has not yet come. The time that it has
come is announced in this scripture. All events that have occured
before this scripture are judgments and tribulations from God, but it is not
his wrath. Let us continue with this scripture below.
Revelation 14:13-20
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yes, says the Spirit, that they
may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. 14 And I looked,
and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of
man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him
that sat on the cloud, (Insert: Rapture starts here ) Thrust
in your sickle, and reap: for the time is come for you to reap; for the
harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his
sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (Insert: God's Wrath starts
here after church is removed ) 17 And another angel came out
of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And
another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried
with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in your
sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her
grapes are fully ripe.19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth,
and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of
the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and
blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of
a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Now this is where Rapture actually takes place, Rev 14:14-16 is the
Rapture. This is the 1st sickle where Jesus comes and takes his Church
out of the world and out of his impending wrath. Notice the word Harvest is
used, Jesus also uses the word Harvest when explaining the tares and the
wheat in Matthew. Now the next sickle (2nd Sickle) starts in 14:17-20.
This is a wrath sickle. The 1st sickle is a Harvest sickle (Rapture). Be sure
not to confuse these two sickles. Once again the 1st sickle in Revelation
14:14-16 is the Rapture. The second sickle in Revelation
14:17-20 is a wrath sickle. The Bowl judgments begin right after
this second sickle in chapter 14:17-20. As Jesus promised and Apostle Paul
spoke, Jesus delivers us out of his wrath. Exactly as Paul was instructed and
wrote to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I would like to point out one more thing to all
reading, Jesus said in Mark Chapter 13 that the church age generation shall
not pass away until all these things take place. What things? All the things
he spoke of in Chapter 13. In Mark 13:37 Jesus also said this. "And what
I say to you I say to all: Watch." Jesus said for ALL to WATCH.
He was speaking to his disciples and to us, Watch for what? Everything he
spoke that would happen in Mark Chapter 13. Note Jesus did not say what I say
to you I say to all, except for those who will be raptured
before any of these things happen.
Jesus also talks about the tares (nonbelievers) and the wheat (believers).
Jesus makes it clear they grow together until his coming. Jesus' coming and
rapture are in fact the same event. Here are a couple of those scriptures.
Matthew 13:29
But he said, No; lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also the
wheat with them. Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and
in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, You gather together first
the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my
barn.
Commentary on Matthew 13:29
Notice Jesus says to the reapers to gather first the tares (nonbelievers) and
bind them into bundles to be burned. Jesus does not command them to be burned
at that very moment but rather be bound and gathered first for a future time
that he will destroy them. This binding and seperation
will occur during the time of the Antichrist. Those who take the buying and
selling mark of the antichrist will be bound and seperated,
to be burned after the church has been raptured.
Matthew 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children
of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The
enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and
the reapers are the angels. Matthew 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered
and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
1 Thessalonians 4:16,17
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ
will rise first.Then we
who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
First, Please note that in both passages, a trumpet sounds before the dead
are raised to life.
Now although this may seem quite simple, it is very important to observe this
very simple commenality, because we're about to
compare these two passages to another passage that contains Christ's own
description of His second coming. Here it is:
Matthew 24:30
"Then the Sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the
tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming of
the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels
with the sound of a great trumpet, and they will gather together His elect
from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
So in Christ's own words, at His second coming a "great trumpet"
will be sounded, after which His elect will be gathered together, "from
one end of heaven to the other".
This is exactly the same event that is described in the first two passages.
In all three, a trumpet is sounded, and in all three, the 'elect', or
believers, both dead and alive, are gathered to Christ.
To my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, Fear Not. Jesus promised to never
forsake you, or leave you. He will provide protection during these times.
Trust Him. Trust His Word. I have shown you the truth from Jesus' Word. This
is why I do not accept pre tribulation rapture. But rather pre-wrath.
TO PASTORS AND TEACHERS IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
I understand your positions and your responsibilities as shepherds of the
flocks the Lord Jesus Christ has given you. But remember the Lord has given
them to you that you may feed them. They can be taken from you the moment the
Lord decides you are not heeding his will.
If you cannot come to a conclusion by rightly dividing the Word of Truth and
the scriptural reference's previously given. Then you cannot with the
Authority of Jesus Christ claim pre-tribulation rapture teaching as correct.
To my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. I do understand there are many
arguments supporting pre-tribulation rapture teaching. Revelation 3:10 is one
of them: KEEP US FROM THE HOUR OF TRIAL. Rather than spend alot of time go to the original Greek and find the
correct usage for the word KEEP as used in this scripture. You will find that
this word has more than one usage. One is physical, the other is spiritual.
The article usage in Revelation 3:10 is very
specific.
Also Jesus spoke of tribulation as series of tribulations and events, (More
than one) Example he said in Matthew 24, after that tribulation. In another
passage he spoke of the Great Tribulation as a different event. This great
tribulation Jesus connected to the future desolation of a third rebuilt
Jewish Temple.
The Wrath of God, the seals and trumps judgments are not the same event, they
each have different purposes. The seals and trumps are judgments because of
sin, but they are given as a warning to repent.
God uses serious judgments to try to bring a person, or nation to repentance.
Example, Moses said by command of the Lord. "Let my people go." The
people were still under Pharaoh's control, but God began pouring out His
judgments, increasing them each time if Pharaoh refused God's command through
Moses. God never poured out his full wrath on Egypt during this time. They were
judgments with punishments, but they were not the full wrath of God.
The same is true for the book of Revelation, the 7 seals and seven trumps,
and the 7 thunders that are sealed up are serious extreme judgments. They are
given to punish and separate the wheat from the chaff. But it is not the
wrath of God.
The wrath of God is his anger poured out to destroy the nations that reject
him. This begins with the 1st bowl judgment. At this time, the time of God's
bowls judgments God is NOT trying to call anyone to repentance, the door is
shut. The only purpose for the bowl judgments is for justice and for the destruction
of nations and all persons who worshiped, or took the mark of the Antichrist.
It does not matter what the other arguments are unless the scriptures
concerning the last trumpet can be answered from the Word. Personal opinions
do not prove truth. The scriptures are not for private interpretation. This
last trumpet must be answered before the truth can be found concerning
rapture. There will only be confusion and division if this last trumpet is
not wholly understood an holy understood. Do not
deceive yourselves.
With extreme and utmost seriousness I charge every Pastor and Teacher in the
Lord, by the Authority given me by the will of God and the Lord Jesus Christ,
that you diligently seek an answer from the Lord Jesus Christ concerning
rapture. And by that Authority given me by the Lord Jesus Christ, I AM
revealing to you by this letter, HIS WILL that the pre-tribulation rapture
teaching is the spirit of error and is a false doctrine sown in the church by
the ADVERSARY.
Before I complete this letter to you, I speak again to my brothers and
sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. To you all I AM instructing,
that you DO NOT regardless of the position of your Pastor on rapture, cause
any divisions within the church because of this letter. But rather instruct
one another with love and patience according to the Word of God. Remain with
him your Pastor in the Body of Jesus Christ. For this letter is given for
instruction and correction on the seriousness of this subject. And so that
there would be eventual unity in the body without division. All things shall
be UNCOVERED and REVEALED according to the will of God.
Question: When Paul in 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 speaks of a rebellion and
a falling away what do you think will cause this rebellion in the first place. In the Gospel there is a scripture which talks
about those who determine that the Master is delayed in coming. Make yourself
a list of every reason you can possibly think of that could cause some
Christians to fall away and rebel. Then ask yourself honestly if an erred
teaching of pre-tribulation rapture could cause some to fall away. Then more
importantly ask the Lord the same question. Last but not least, when the Lord
delivered Israel out of Egypt what
trumpet did they exodus? Was it not the seventh after great hardship and
testing? When Israel left Egypt, did
they not leave in great haste as the Lord commanded Moses it should be done?
The Lord has not changed. Is it not written that Judgment begins in the House
of God? So be the truth, in the name and the blood of Jesus the Lord.
May the Lord Jesus Christ keep all of you who trust IN HIM in his Hand always. And may the Holy Spirit guide you in all Truth,
and Wisdom.
Your brother and servant in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - Scott Branson
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