Warning – Longer than usual, but still worth reading.
Leviticus 9, Matthew 9, 2 Thessalonians 2
Have you ever thought that you knew something pretty good, but if you had it wrong you would be happy about it? That is the way I am with my End Times beliefs. I grew up believing in a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. If you don’t know what that is, think Left Behind. If you read that series of books or watched the movies you have a good understanding of what pre-trib rapturists believe. I have come to embrace what has traditionally been looked for in the church… the day of the Lord, also known as the second coming.
The church has looked for a second coming that it identified with the day of the Lord in the Old Testament. In 2 Thessalonians 2, the Apostle Paul is trying to remove fears that the church at Thessalonica had missed the day of the Lord or second coming. He says, “As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.” 2 Thessalonians2:1–2NRSV
There are some things that Paul says will precede the day of the Lord, things that the Thessalonians could look for and recognize as signs of the coming day. “Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming.” 2 Thessalonians2:3–4, 7–8NRSV Before the day of the Lord or second coming, the lawless one or anti-christ is revealed. He will take his seat in the temple declaring himself to be God. Finally, the Lord Jesus will destroy the lawless one at his coming.
Pre-tribers will say but the rapture happens when that which restrains the lawless one is removed so that the lawless one can be revealed. They say that is the church being raptured out because the church is what is restraining the lawless one. Maybe, but there are some problems with that. First, why was the church worried about missing the day of the Lord (which comes after the lawless one is revealed) and their being gathered to him if they were going to be raptured out before that day? Second, why bother teaching them the signs of the day of the Lord if they weren’t going to be here?
There are some other reasons I opted to reject a belief in a pre-trib rapture. The development of this end time belief is less than 200 years old. It began with J. N. Darby around 1830 and was made popular by the Schofield Bible. As I said, traditionally (for more than 1800 years) the church has looked for the day of the Lord or the second coming.
The pre-trib rapture belief mistakenly assumes the great tribulation is from God on the unbelievers in the world. If you read through the Bible, you will recognize that what is coming for unbelievers and the wicked on the day of the Lord is not tribulations. It is the wrath of God. Tribulations in the Bible are usually from the world. Jesus said, “…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John16:33NASB1995 Christians have suffered, and are today suffering tribulations at the hands of the world. We have been going through tribulations since the resurrection. I believe we are in the great tribulation now.
Lastly, if Christians believe they are going to be whisked away before the anti-christ is revealed, they may not be looking for the signs of his coming. There are many given and we need to know them and look for them so we are not deceived if there isn’t a pre-tribulation rapture. Jesus gave signs to look for. Paul also told the Thessalonians signs that accompany the coming lawless one. “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” 2 Thessalonians2:9–10NIV
I do not consider myself an end times prophecy expert. I have just shared some of my beliefs. As I said, if I were wrong and the pre-trib rapture were true, I would certainly be happy to be wrong and be joined with those gathering to meet Jesus in the air.
One thing is certain, Jesus is coming again! Whether that be a pre-trib rapture or a second coming, it is important to read the Bible, know the signs of his coming, and be expectantly watching for it.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promised return! Thank you for Scripture that gives me signs to look for. Thank you for your Holy Spirit leading me into all truth! Help me to know what to look for and help me to be looking. Amen.
Thinking About and Being a Child of God 
Part of my beliefs about the “Rapture” ( my choice of words & others may differ) is that we as mortals should not try to second guess when it will happen. Only God knows this time. I remember when the year turned to 2000 many said this is the perfect time. They were sure but we’re wrong. They said all the signs point to it. So I live my life prepared. Yes I see signs. For me the biggest would be the Antichrist which I don’t think has happened but that’s just my thought. I guess that is second guessing? I try not to. Since my husband Bill passed in June ( and he was saved I’m sure) I try even harder to live a life trusting in Jesus. My next question what are your views (if any) on what it will be like. Will I know Bill and he know me? If so will he know,/love me as we we’re before his passing? Everyone seems to have a different opinion. It may be that we don’t know and won’t til it happens. I hope I’ve not made my comment confusing but sometimes I am confused.
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Thank you for your comments! I agree we can’t know the exact time and we shouldn’t guess. On the other hand there are many things we are told to look for. The idea behind the signs of the coming day of the Lord is so believers will not be deceived and so we will know, as it is said in Luke’s gospel, our redemption draws near. Being prepared by being a relationship with Jesus and other believers is important to recognizing the signs and not being deceived.
I believe that Bill will know you and know that you were his wife. Jesus said in my father’s house are many rooms. You don’t need many rooms if we are going to be wispy spirits floating around or if we are all going to be merged into a homogenous one. We will keep our individuality in heaven. The Apostle Paul says we will know God as we are known. I believe that carries over to our other relationships as well. I believe relationships will be much deeper and closer than we could have ever imagined in this life.
The descriptions of heaven we have in the Bible are visionary and apocalyptic. If we think about the beauty and wonder of creation in this fallen world and how much we enjoy nature, we can see the care God took in creating it. The world to come free, from sin, death, and destruction, could only be so much more beautiful and enjoyable.
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Thank you. I agree with you on signs of end times. I heard a preacher say even if we see signs that doesn’t really mean it is near. First he said that Gods time could be much different. That a day to us could be 100 years to him. He also said we have not seen an Anti Christ who he said he would come from the Middle East. I’m not completely sure about all of that. My main concerns were about the relationships (if they do exist in heaven). I believe as you do…that we will know each other. I just want us to know each other. I’m not talking about sexual . We talked so much before he passed and became so much closer as man & wife. He suffered so much & so long. We both were saved. Now I make sure every day I live as I know I should .
I do like the way you explained it and it does make sense to me. The only thing I want for us to know each other & see him whole again. No cancer or pain. I enjoy your emails a lot. I don’t always comment but read them all.
Thank you.
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