Timing Of The Rapture
This is a very important passage of scripture. It should reveal to those who believe in the teaching of the “pre-tribulation rapture” that it is false. And very misleading and dangerous idea. The following 4 verses from 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 are powerful words to discredit the claim of a pre-tribulation rapture.
2Th 2:1 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you
(2) not to be quickly shaken in your mind, and not be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as if from us, saying that the day of Christ has already come.
(3) Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,
(4) he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.
Verse 1 – should be self-explanatory for anyone who has spent some time studying the Bible. This passage is all about the return of Jesus Christ and our being gathered together with Him. Otherwise, known as “THE RAPTURE”.
Verse 2 – assures us the day of the Lord has not already come. Paul warns us not to believe any false teaching that may arise from anywhere. Do not allow ourselves to be led away from the gospel. Remember to heed the warning in 2Pe 3:17-18.
2Pe 3:17-18
2Pe 3:17 You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.
(18) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Be on guard against the words and actions of the wicked, who will tempt you away from the true gospel.
2 The 2:3 – is the key to this part of scripture. Again, we are told not to be deceived. Then we are told “FOR IT WILL NOT BE”. What will not be? Our being gathered to Him, as we see in verse 1. It will not be until two things happen.
1. The rebellion comes first. This rebellion is when many people will fall away from the truth. They will no longer accept the truth. They will want to hear what their itching ears want to hear. Not the truth. Just whatever they think is right. Notice this must happen before we are gathered to Jesus. “BEFORE THE RAPTURE”.
My opinion is many of these people will be those who have been bitterly disappointed. Those who were not raptured prior to the tribulation starting. Their faith in God will take a massive hit. They will turn their backs on God and His way to eternal life. This will not be the only reason for the falling away. But it will certainly be a part of the problem.
Man of Sin revealed
2. The man of sin must then revealed. The one who opposes God and exalts himself against God. The man who then sits in the temple of God and claims himself to be God. Again, we know this does not happen until the halfway mark of the time of tribulation. In Daniel 9:27, it is in the middle of the week, in the middle of the tribulation. The man of sin will cause the sacrifices and the offerings to cease.
Dan 9:27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.”
Verse 4 – The man of sin takes his place in the temple of God halfway through the tribulation. And according to verse one, we read earlier, this is “BEFORE THE RAPTURE”. Only after this can we be gathered to Jesus. Only after this can the rapture take place.
Unfortunately, some assume the rapture will happen at this halfway mark of tribulation. This is also incorrect.
As I have said earlier. This is a very complex subject and requires a lot of study to come to the right conclusion. For a more detailed explanation of the timing of the rapture. Please read my book “The Rapture”. It is free to download from this website.
Return to Messages From The Word Of God