1 Th 4:15-17 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.
With these words, Paul details the Rapture for us. He tells us when it will
happen and how it will happen. The
Rapture will happen at Jesus coming.
In simple terms believers dead and living are changed the dead are resurrected
and the living are rendered immortal. Both, however, are caught up into
the heavens where they will meet the Lord. In this section we want to take the
time to study this very important Bible Doctrine. Despite the fact that the
Doctrine of the Rapture is fully supported by the Bible, there is much
controversy concerning it. Some would go as far as rejecting it together, while
others would rearrange the timing of the rapture. The rapture is a part of God’s
order for the future. It will happen somewhere in future time of the exact
moment no one knows. That knowledge is held in reserve by God the Father. What is
revealed to us is its relationship to other prophetic events. The climatic event
of our age will be the Seven-Year Tribulation; the rapture of the Church will
happen before the Tribulation. When we consider the awfulness of the
Tribulation, this is a very comforting thought, it is no wonder that Paul after
revealing the Rapture to the Thessalonians wrote these words, “1Th 4:18
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” There are some who
would try to steal that comfort away from us. That was just exactly what would
happen to the Thessalonians, a deceiver would come to them and try to convince
them that the Tribulation had already started and that they were in it. In
response to this Paul wrote II Thessalonians chapter 2, in which he told them not
to
let anyone deceive them concerning the order of events that consisted of Rapture
and Tribulation.
2 Th 2:1-3 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;
Notice the subject of the passage, “by the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,” it is about the coming
of the Lord and the Rapture, “the gathering.” He commands them to
not allow any man to deceive them concerning the order of these events and then
lays out the order of events. The “day of Christ” is the
Tribulation. Paul states that it cannot come unless two things take place first.
The first thing that must take place is the “falling away.” This
term here means to fall away from the earth. It is to leave one place and to go
to another. Remember that the subject is the coming of the Lord and our
gathering unto him. Falling away from the earth is what happens to the believers
as they are Raptured. Paul wants to make sure that this is perfectly clear. The
second thing that must happen is the “Man of Sin,” the Antichrist
must come forth, and until he comes there can be no Tribulation.
It is with Paul’s command ("let no man deceive you") that
we have prepared this section. It is our desire to strengthen your understanding
of this vital Biblical Doctrine. It is my prayer that you will be comforted by
reading this section.
I. THE RAPTURE: THE MEANING OF THE WORD.
1. RAPTURE The catching up of believers by Christ at the time of His
return. The word came into use by way of the Latin rapio used to translate the
Greek term of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, harpagesometha. Living believers are said to
be "caught up" to meet the Lord at His coming. *Holman Bible Dictionary
2. In the first case, we need to recognize that "the Bible" has changed
form over time. Originally, the Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek. But for
most of the history of the Church, the Bible used by the majority of people was
not in these original languages. Instead, people used a translation in their
native language, just as we use an English translation today. And for the
greater part of the history of the Church, the translation used by most in the
West was the Latin Vulgate. This was "the Bible" for more than a thousand
years--and dominated Bible study and doctrine for a period far longer than any
other translation. It reigned supreme in the West until the time of the
Reformation when men began to return to study the original language texts and
translate them into the vulgar tongues (e.g., German, English).
The term rapture means "to seize" and "to carry off," and is taken from the
phrase "caught up" in 1Th-4:17 in the Latin Vulgate which reads:
Deinde nos, qui vivimus, qui relinquimur, simul rapiemur cum illis in nubibus
obviam Christo in aera, et sic sempe cum Domino erimus. [Then we, who are alive,
who remain, together will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet Christ in
the air, and so always with the Lord we will be.] [Emphasis added]
So we see that the term "rapture" is in the Bible--it just depends which Bible
you are talking about! If you mean one of the recent translations which have
only been on the scene for decades, or even the KJV which is hundreds of years
old, then you won't find the term. But if you are talking about the Grand Daddy
of all Bibles which ruled for a millennium (the Vulgate), then the term is
indeed there!
Even if we could not find the actual term "rapture" in a Bible, it would not
indicate that the doctrine of the Rapture is not taught within Scripture. After
all, we don't find the terms Trinity, Omnipresence, Omniscience,
or Incarnation in Scripture,
but these doctrines are clearly taught by Scripture. So all that is necessary to
establish the truth of a teaching is whether the concept is found in Scripture.
Here too, the Rapture passes the test. *Norman L. Geisler, and William E. Nix, A
General Introduction to the Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1986), 26.
3. If we go back to the original language of the New Testament, we find the rapiemur of
1 Th 4:17 in the Vulgate to be a translation of the Greek term ἁ?παγησ ?εθα [harpagē?sometha] which is the 1st person, plural, future tense,
passive voice, indicative mood form of the verb ἁ?π ?ω [harpazō?] meaning to
"snatch, seize, i.e., take suddenly and vehemently" and which can denote "rescue
from a threatening danger." Danker, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament
and Other Early Christian Literature, 109
a. That is what the Rapture is, it is a “rescue from threatening danger.”
II. IT IS AN IMPORTANT BIBLICAL DOCTRINE.
A. Jesus taught it.
1. Mat 24:27-29 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even
unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (28) For
wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (29)
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and
the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
a. His body is the carcass and the eagles are the raptured Saints.
b. It happens like lightening and immediately after the Tribulation begins.
2. Luke 21:34-36 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so]
that day come upon you unawares. (35) For as a snare shall it come on all them
that dwell on the face of the whole earth. (36) Watch ye therefore, and pray
always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall
come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
a. In the verses proceeding Luke 21:34 - 36, the terribleness of the Tribulation
is revealed. Now Jesus warns His people not to be distracted by the business of life until
they are caught off guard by the Tribulation. He, in this scripture, warns that
the tribulation will involve the
whole earth. Then he holds out the hope of escaping the event, “pray . . . that
ye may be accounted worthy to escape.” If the Tribulation is going to cover the
whole of the world then it stands to reason that one must leave the planet to
escape the Tribulation. That is what Jesus is referring to when he says, “to
stand before the Son of Man.” Since he is in Heaven, the believer must be taken
there before the Tribulation.
B. Paul taught it.
1. 1 Cor. 15:51-55 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. (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?
a. It is to the Rapture that Paul is referring to in this passage. The
rapture is an event that happens like
lightening, a trumpet is sounded and the dead are released from the power of the
grave and the living are changed from mortal too immortal. He gives us the
dynamics of the Rapture.
2. 1 Th 4:14-18 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.
a. There can be no doubt as to what Paul is talking about here the Dead and the living Saints are caught up together to meet Jesus in the Air. They are Raptured!
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C. John taught it.
1. 1 Jo 3:2 Beloved now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
shall see him as he is.
a. John believed in the Rapture. He expected Jesus to appear; He expected the
believers to be changed to be like Jesus. This is the same change Paul talked
about, and it is the same event.
D. The Book of Revelation teaches it.
1. The Church of Sardis is warned they could miss it. Rev 3:3-4 Remember
therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If
therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt
not know what hour I will come upon thee. (4) Thou hast a few names even in
Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in
white: for they are worthy.
a. To the church of Sardis Jesus gives a warning that if they don’t watch out
they will miss the Rapture, it will happen like a thief coming in the night. The
thief will come and take what is valuable and leave behind a sense of loss. It
appears that only a few of the members of that church will be ready for the
Rapture.
2. The Church of Philadelphia is promised the Rapture. Rev 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. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man
take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of
my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my
God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh
down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
a. Jesus has promised to do something for the church in relationship to
something they have done. What did they do “kept the word of my patience.” What
that means is very important to us, for in doing that we will be kept from the
“hour of temptation.”
b. The word patience comes from the Greek word hupomone. Persevere is
ὑ?ομονη ?
[hypomonē?s], which may include the idea of expectation related to the promise
to be kept from the hour: the word hupomone sometimes meant '(patient)
expectation.
c. The word patient can be seen in two directions. The first, this Church has
been patiently waiting for the promise of the Rapture. It was and is a major
doctrine of this church. The other direction is from Jesus’ point of view. He
has been waiting a long time to come and get his bride. Jesus said it was his
patience. Because they longed for and wanted him to come for them he was going
to do just that.
d. Jesus will Rapture the church before the Tribulation. There are those who
teach that the church must go though the Tribulation. This is a false notion.
When the word “hour” is factored into the conversation, it becomes clear that
the promise identifies with the “time of trial” and not its effects.
e. This verse does not say that the Church will be merely kept safe during the
trial, but it will be kept from the very hour of trial, that is, from the very
time of it. This requires a removal from the earth before the Tribulation ever
occurs.
f. “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.” The word hour is a unit word.
It not only stands for a certain period of time, sixty minutes but it can also
stand for an event. To say the hour of is to say the time while a certain thing
is going on. In this case it is the Seven-Year Tribulation. The church will be
kept from the hour, the whole hour.
Since the “hour of temptation” will try them that dwell on the whole of the
earth then for Jesus to keep the church from this trial he must remove the
church from the earth before the hour can begin. This is what happens with the
Rapture.
They are to be careful to not let a man take their crown. This is a warning that
there will be a threat to the Philadelphian church going in the Rapture and
being rewarded at the Judgement Seat of Christ. The threat is the pastor of the
Laodicea Church with his wealth getting schemes. This pastor is said to be
lukewarm. To fellowship with him is to risk catching his disease. He that is the
Laodicean pastor is said to be blind and naked. The implication to Philadelphian
Pastor is that just before the Rapture of the church he will face a tempter. He
must resist him at all cost. He must hold on to the worship, faith, doctrine and
service that have brought the approval of Jesus Christ.
The changes that are coming to many churches in their doctrine and worship is
not being influenced by the Holy Ghost. We were warned about the coming changes
by Paul, 1Tim. 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils; (2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a
hot iron”; The Holy Ghost wants us to understand that demon spirits would be
busy in Laodicea. They would craft doctrines of change, which would lead
believers into a terrible stage.
h. Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,
and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and
the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of
heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
We are now informed just where the church will be taken at the Rapture. They
will be taken to New Jerusalem.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and
he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the
name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of
heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
3. Revelation 4:1 - 2 shows us when the Rapture takes place. The church finished
at the end of the third chapter, chapter four opens up with John being caught up
to Heaven. He is Raptured. We will not see the church again on earth until Jesus
returns to the earth at the end of the Tribulation. John is a topological
Christian and he is Raptured into Heaven. In these verses we are taught how the
Rapture will happen, we are taught when it will happen
a. John’s experience is exactly like Paul described it - 1 Th 4:16-17 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.
5. Revelation chapter five will give us additional proof that the Rapture has
taken place before the Tribulation as begun. The opening scene of chapter five
envisions God the Father setting on a throne. In his hand he has a seven-sealed
book. A strong angel cries with a loud voice who is worthy to take and open the
book. After a search is made, Jesus is brought forth and he takes the book.
After taking the book two things happen that help us to understand that the
Rapture has taken place and the Tribulation has not yet begun.
a. The prayers of the saints are offered before Jesus. Rev 5:8 And when he had
taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the
Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are
the prayers of saints.
b. The Judgment Seat of Christ took place during the time of Chapter four. We
see crowns on the heads of the twenty-four elders. These elders are representing
of Old & New Testament Believers. This group is the church. The rapture must
have happened for the elders to have crowns and be able to cast them before God.
The works of the church have been tried by fire, only the pure testimony of the
church remains. They must be offered at this time as a witness that God had
warned mankind of the impending judgment. No one can rightly charge they were
not warned. God has provided a witness in the form of the church. Without the
Rapture no one would be at the Judgment Seat of Christ. One would have had
their works tried and comfort as gold. There would be nothing and one to offer
up to the Lord at this time. This must happen before the Tribulation can begin.
If there is no Rapture, there will be no Tribulation.
c. The second thing we see is a very large group of people in heaven before the
throne. We watch as they worship Jesus Christ in song.
Rev 5:9-14 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God
by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (10) And
hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
(11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne
and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten
thousand, and thousands of thousands; (12) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is
the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength,
and honour, and glory, and blessing. (13) And every creature which is in heaven,
and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that
are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto
him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (14) And
the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and
worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
d. The details of the their song reveals who this very large group of people
are.
(1) They are redeemed men and women. They have been redeemed by the blood of
Jesus Christ.
(2) This number has come from every type of people, language, and nation. They
are from the earth.
(3) They have been to the Judgment Seat of Christ and been appointed awards.
Jesus has made them kings and priests. They already know that they will reign
with Jesus in the Kingdom of God on this earth. This can be no one but the
Raptured Church.
e. It they are not there to sing this song then things will progress no further.
The Rapture is a must. Without it
Jesus will not break the first seal.
6. Chapter 7 of Revelation is a proof text of the Rapture. In order to fully
understand chapter seven we must understand what kind of chapter it is,
Revelation has three kinds of chapters, Chronological, parenthetical and for a
want of a better term we will call the rest “laminated.” The chart below will
aid in understanding how this works.
a. Chapter seven does not follow chapter six in order of events. It parallels
six in time. In the opening scene four angles are commanded to hold back the
winds that would hurt the earth. In this chapter the earth has not yet been
damaged. In the close of chapter six the earth receives serve damage. Chapter
seven is a parenthetical chapter. It is meant to give us some important
information that could not be given in a chronological fashion. Here we will
their positioning in time. What is about to happen to both groups is to happen
before the Tribulation begins.
b. The first group - Rev 7:1- 4 And after these things I saw four angels
standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth,
that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. (2)
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living
God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to
hurt the earth and the sea, (3) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor
the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (4)
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an
hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
c. Here we have 144,000 Jews. Until they are sealed, the angels cannot allow the
winds to blow. With the Church being Raptured at this time the light would be
removed from the world. God always has a witness in the world. The church has
been his light in the world. Israel and the church have been used as his
representative. It does not seem that he uses them at the same time. When the
church was born, Israel as a nation was no longer for shortly after the birth of
the Christian church Rome destroyed the nation of Israel, Jerusalem and the
Temple. It is now the church that becomes God’s light in the world. With the
Rapture removing the church, God turns back to Israel as his light in the world.
Since Israel will not accept Jesus Christ until the middle of the Tribulation,
the 144,000 Jews become representative of the whole nation of Israel. While
their number is symbolic, it is also literal. These are real people who live
real lives.
In Chapter 14 we are told that they are removed from the earth - Rev 14:1-5 And
I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty
and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. (2) And
I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a
great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: (3)
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four
beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and
forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (4) These are they
which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which
follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men,
being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (5) And in their mouth was found
no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
d. They lived pure lives. They are a living testimonies that even in “the
Tribulation” a man who desires to may live for God. They are redeemed at this
time because the nation of Israel has in total turned to Jesus Christ. Israel
the nation is finally playing the role that God has intended for it to play.
e. Now we turn to the second group of people in the
seventh chapter - Rev 7:9-17 After this I beheld, and, lo,
a great multitude,
which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,
and palms in their hands; (10) And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to
our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (11) And all the
angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts,
and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, (12) Saying,
Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power,
and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (13) And one of the elders
answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and
whence came they? (14) And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to
me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (15) Therefore are they
before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that
sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (16) They shall hunger no more,
neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. (17)
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead
them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes.
f. The identity of this group is very important. In the visual below we answer
the question.
g. The identity of second group of people is clear. It is the Raptured church.
When John’s attention is turned from the 144,000, he sees before the throne of
God this very large group of people. They are not on the earth. They are in
heaven. There are those who want to say that these are the converts of the
144,000. There is nothing in this chapter that points to this. The only
connection that the two have is they are in the same chapter. The reason they
are in the same chapter is to establish timing. The 144,000 are seen sealed
before the Tribulation begins and the large group has arrived in heaven at the
same time. It tells us what time the Rapture takes place, it is before the
Tribulation can begin.
7. Chapter 19 is a proof text for the Rapture happening before the Tribulation.
Rev 19:1-9 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in
heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the
Lord our God: (2) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged
the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath
avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (3) And again they said,
Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. (4) And the four and twenty
elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne,
saying, Amen; Alleluia. (5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise
our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. (6)
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many
waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord
God omnipotent reigneth. (7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him:
for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8)
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and
white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (9) And he saith unto
me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the
Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
a. In Revelation 17 & 18 We meet the great whore and we see
judgment. She is
destroyed by the ten Kings in the Middle of the Tribulation. The first few
verses of chapter 19 tell us that the news of her destruction reaches the saints
of God, as they are praising God, the announcement of the Marriage Supper of the
Lamb comes. Since we know that the great whore is judged in the middle of the
Tribulation we also know the timing for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It also
must take place in the middle of the Tribulation. This would require the church
to be in Heaven since she is the bride of Christ.
b. We are told that the “Bride has made herself ready.” This would require the
church to have been to the Judgment Seat of Christ, which happens before the
Tribulation can begin.
III. THE PATTERN OF SCRIPTURE TEACHES THE RAPTURE.
Isa. 46:10 Declaring the end
from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done,
saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
A. The Law of First Mention - Scripture reveals certain principles needed for
the proper and faithful interpretation of the Bible. These principles have to be
recognized as Bible students seek to properly understand the Word. One of those
is “The Law of First Mention.”
1. The "law of first-mention" is the principle in the interpretation of
Scripture which states that the first mention or occurrence of a subject in
Scripture establishes an unchangeable pattern, with that subject remaining
unchanged in its usage throughout Scripture.
2. "the first-mention principle." This principle has to do with
unchangeableness, and it centers around an unchangeable structure of the Word
given by the unchangeable God. Because of the inherent nature of the Word, the
first time a subject is mentioned in Scripture, a pattern, a mold is established
at that point which remains unchanged throughout the remainder of Scripture.
Arlen Chitwood: Theopneustos
3. The law of first-mention shows that God's truth doesn't fluctuate, but that
His truth is an evidence of His own steadfastness. I believe God wants us to
know what to expect from him and he wants us to know what he expects of us.
a. God does not change. His plan does not change. Mal. 3:6 KJV “For I am the
LORD, I change not; . . . ”
b. That is what we have in the following verse - Isa. 46:10 KJV “Declaring the
end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done,
saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”: This the “Law of
First Mention.” The way God uses something in Genesis will be the way t is used
all the way to Revelation.
c. Here is an example of Rapture before Tribulation - Gen 5:21-24 KJV And Enoch
lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: (22) And Enoch walked with God
after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
(23) And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (24) And
Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
The Flood is coming but before it comes Enoch is raptured, This sets a pattern
that will continue to the Book of Revelation. Enoch is in the beginning of the
pattern, and because of the “Law of First Mention,” we know what will happen
before the Tribulation, as Enoch was raptured, the Church will be raptured
before the Tribulation.
B. This is the pattern throughout Scripture. The Rapture is always before
Tribulation. When it comes to Biblical doctrine, God always works in a
predictable pattern. Scripture is a harmony. It is a weave revealing Jesus
Christ. No Scripture is in conflict with another. That is what Peter meant when
he wrote 2 Pet. 1:20 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of
any private interpretation.” If ever Scripture seems to be in conflict then one
or more of the verses that seem in conflict must have been taken out of it’s
natural setting or context, it is then given a different meaning than the author
of the words intended for it to have. That will lead to a faulty interruption.
This is often done in order to prove a personal doctrinal view point. When all
texts are taken in their natural context, all Scriptures will harmonize into one
Vision of Jesus Christ.
C. While other places in Scriptures give us events, it is the book of Revelation
that organizes the events into a logical time line. The Book of Revelation,
while it has some “parenthetical” chapters it is a chronological book revealing
events in their proper order. God gives us the outline of the book of Revelation
in Rev 1:19 “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are,
and the things which shall be hereafter”;
1. What he has seen is the vision of Jesus among the candle sticks. That will be
covered by Revelation chapter one.
2. “The things which are” deal with the seven churches. They collectively cover
the church age.
Chapters two and three deal with the church.
3. “The things which shall be here after” cover everything after chapter four of
Revelation. The church comes to its earthly end at the close of chapter three
and in chapter four we have the Rapture of the church and the Tribulation begins
at the beginning of chapter six.
4. This is the pattern that is followed throughout the Bible. Believers removed
from dangers, tribulation to follow and then the Kingdom begins.
D. Jesus tells us that events will follow a pattern, Luke 17:26-32 And as it was
in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (27) They
did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the
day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
(28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they
bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (29) But the same day that Lot
went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them
all. (30) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (31)
In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house,
let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him
likewise not return back. (32) Remember Lot's wife.
1. The pattern of Noah and the flood. The Flood would be a world wide
tribulation. There would be a rapture before it would begin. There would be
three people who must be removed from the earth before the flood can cover the
earth.
2. The first is Enoch -Gen 5:21-24 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and
begat Methuselah: (22) And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three
hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (23) And all the days of Enoch were
three hundred sixty and five years: (24) And Enoch walked with God: and he was
not; for God took him.
Heb. 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was
not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had
this testimony, that he pleased God. (6) But without faith it is impossible to
please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
a. Enoch knew about the Tribulation. He preached about judgment to come. He
declared it by naming his son Methuselah, meaning “when he is gone it shall
come.” Enoch knew after his son’s death the flood would come.
b. God translated him before the flood, he took him or better said Enoch was raptured before the flood.
3. The second is Methuselah -The presents of Methuselah held back the flood. It
could only come after he is gone. He is like the church in the sense as long as
the church the Tribulation cannot come.
a. Methuselah knew about the flood for he named his son Lamech. It is from this
word that we get our world lamentations. Methuselah knew what was facing his son
when he named him. He knew that when he left he would be leaving behind a son
who would face the tribulation
4. The final of the three would be Noah. His father gave him a name that meant
rest. Lamech knew that there would be something after the flood. He knew through
Noah the human race would continue.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved
with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned
the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Jesus said his coming would be like the days of Noah. Noah would go into an Ark
that had been prepared for the saving of his family from the coming Flood or the
Tribulation. It would lift him off of the earth and bring him back to the earth
after the flood or tribulation. In this we see the pattern again, rapture has
been prepared for us that will lift us off of the earth and Jesus will return us
to this earth with his return at the end of the Tribulation.
5. So we see in the flood a pattern, believers are removed before the
tribulation can come. The future Rapture will also follow the pattern. It will
be a Rapture before Tribulation.
6. We also have the pattern of Lot and Sodom’s destruction - Luke 17:(28)
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they
bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (29) But the same day that Lot
went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them
all. (30) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
Gen. 19:15-26 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying,
Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be
consumed in the iniquity of the city. (16) And while he lingered, the men laid
hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two
daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set
him without the city. (17) And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth
abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay
thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. (18) And
Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: (19) Behold now, thy servant hath found
grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed
unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil
take me, and I die: (20) Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a
little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul
shall live. (21) And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this
thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
(22) Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come
thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. (23) The sun was risen
upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. (24) Then the LORD rained upon Sodom
and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; (25) And he
overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the
cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (26) But his wife looked back from
behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
a. The story of Lot would be a pattern for the Lord’s return. What we see here
is a Tribulation coming on Sodom and Gomorrah but before it can happen there
must be a Rapture of Lot out of the city. “(22) Haste thee, escape thither; for
I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither.” The angel tells Lot that he
cannot destroy the city until he is removed from there. The Tribulation cannot
begin until the church is taken from the world.
b. Lot was Raptured. The Angels took he and his family by the hand and set them
outside of the city. “(16) And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his
hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the
LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without
the city.”
The angels brought him forth and set him outside of the city. Lot becomes a type
of Raptured saint. He must be set outside of the city before Sodom’s Tribulation
can begin. The church must be set outside of the world before the Tribulation
can begin. Jesus said it would be the same pattern for when he returns.
IV. THE PATTERN IS SEEN IN THE PROPHETS.
A. In the last book of the Old Testament there is a reference to the Rapture.
Mal 3:16-18 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the
LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him
for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (17) And they
shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels;
and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (18) Then
shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him
that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
1. The beginning of the third chapter of Malachi God is rebuking Israel for the
way they have treated him and for robbing him of his rightful tithes. He
promises them blessings if they will honor him. Then he talks about a different
group of people “they that feared the Lord” The “Lord” is a reference to Jesus
Christ. If you fear the “Lord” then your name is written in the Lamb’s book of
Life. This is the book of remembrance. If you are in the book of remembrance,
you belong to God.
2. Now we have a reference to the Rapture, (17) “And they shall be mine, saith
the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them,
as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”
Making up the Jewels reminds us
off the Judgment Seat of Christ where the works of the believer is tried by
fire. 1 Cor. 3:11-13 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which
is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made
manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
When he makes up his Jewels and spares them he is talking about keeping them
from the Tribulation and taking them to New Jerusalem. We see a direct reference
to that in the description of New Jerusalem in Revelation 21.
Rev 21:9-14 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. (10) 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, (11) Having the glory of God: and
her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear
as crystal; (12) And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the
gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the
twelve tribes of the children of Israel: (13) On the east three gates; on the
north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. (14)
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the
twelve apostles of the Lamb.
a. On the twelve foundations of New Jerusalem are the names of the twelve
apostles of Jesus. They are the foundation of the Christian Church and Jesus
Christ is the chief corner stone. In Revelation chapter twenty-one, verses
twenty-one and twenty-two we see a list of jewels that will make up the
foundation of the New Jerusalem that lets us see the connection of the church
with the jewels. New Jerusalem is called the Bride of Christ. The Bride of
Christ is the Raptured Church.
b. The Raptured Saints are the Jewels that are being spared here.
c. It is after the Rapture that the Jewish people turn to Jesus Christ.
(18) “
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between
him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”
3. Chapter four of Malachi deals with the Tribulation that follows.
Mal 4:1-6 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the
proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh
shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither
root nor branch. (2) But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of
righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow
up as calves of the stall. (3) And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they
shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this,
saith the LORD of hosts. (4) Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I
commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. (5)
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and
dreadful day of the LORD: (6) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the
children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite
the earth with a curse.
The above verses are talking about the Tribulation. Elijah will be one of the
two witnesses of chapter twelve of Revelation and Moses will be the other. Fire
plays a big part in the judgement of the Tribulation.
4. The pattern of Rapture, Tribulation and return of Jesus Christ to this earth
to begin his Kingdom on Earth is clearly seen.
B. The Rapture, Tribulation and the Return of Jesus Christ to this earth are
also seen in the Book of Isaiah.
Isa 26:17-21 Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her
delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight,
O LORD. (18) We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were
brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither
have the inhabitants of the world fallen. (19) Thy dead men shall live, together
with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for
thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (20)
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee:
hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
(21) For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of
the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall
no more cover her slain.
1. Isaiah 26:17-21 gives us a pattern of events that when taken event by event
it takes us from Israel expecting Jesus to be born of a virgin to the return of
Jesus to this earth.
2. Event number one - The virgin birth of Jesus - “Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs;
so have we been in thy sight, O LORD. (18) We have been with child, we have been
in pain,”
a. It is Israel speaking in this passage. She says she is like a woman with
child.
b. This reminds us of Rev 12:1-5 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a
woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a
crown of twelve stars: (2) And she being with child cried, travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered. (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. (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. (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.
This is symbolism of this passage is of Israel being pregnant with the promise
of Jesus. From the beginning of the nation there was the promise of Jesus being
born though a virgin of Israel. So this becomes Israel’s symbol.
c. Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
d. Mat 1:20-25 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost. (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (22) Now all this was done,
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
(23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they
shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (24) Then
Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and
took unto him his wife: (25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her
firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
3. Event number two - “we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any
deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.”
This is Israel’s rejection of Jesus.
a. John 1:11-12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12) But as
many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to
them that believe on his name:
4. Event number three - “(19) Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body
shall they arise.” This is now the voice of Jesus. He tells Israel that her dead
shall rise with his dead body. What is referred to here is the death, burial and
resurrection of Jesus. At the time that Jesus rose from the dead there were
others that were resurrected in Israel.
a. Mat 27:50-53 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the
ghost. (51) And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top
to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (52) And the graves
were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, (53) And came out
of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared
unto many.
5. Event number four - “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the
dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (20) Come, my people, enter
thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were
for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” Together with the Old
Testament Believers that were raised from the dead at Jesus’ Resurrection are Raptured. Dead in Christ with the living are taken from the earth.
a. 1 Thess. 4:16-17 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.
b. “enter thou into thy chambers,” - The chambers referred to here are New
Jerusalem, the place Jesus has prepared for the Bride of Christ.
c. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there
ye may be also.
d. Rev 21:9-10 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. (10) 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,
6. Event number five - “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy
doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the
indignation be overpast.” The “indignation” is the Seven-Year Tribulation. Jesus
has told his people to enter their chambers and stay until the “indignation”
pass. This is clearly proof that the Church is Raptured off of the earth and
enters into New Jerusalem and stays until it is time for the Tribulation to end.
7. Event number six - “(21) For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish
the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose
her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” This is Jesus returning to the
earth for the battle of Armageddon. He is coming to begin his Kingdom.
a. Zec 14:4-5 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives,
which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in
the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very
great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half
of it toward the south. (5) And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains;
for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like
as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and
the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
b. Jude 1:14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these,
saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (15) To
execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of
all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard
speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
8. The pattern stands out for us in a very clear manner, Rapture, Tribulation,
Second Coming of Jesus to the earth to end the Tribulation and begin the Kingdom
of God on this earth.
CON. I AM SURE SOME WHO READ THESE WORDS WONDER WHY GOD WOULD ESTABLISH THE
RAPTURE THE WAY HE HAS.
A. It has a purifying effect on the believer.
1. 1 John 3:2-3 KJV Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear
what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him;
for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him
purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
2. 2 Pe 3:14 KJV Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be
diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
3. Giving up on the soon return of Jesus Christ has a corrupting effect -
Mat
24:48-51 KJV But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming; (49) And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to
eat and drink with the drunken; (50) The lord of that servant shall come in a
day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, (51)
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
a. When the servant thought he has plenty of time he became evil. While he
thought he might come unexpectedly he was a good servant.
B. It has a comforting effect on those who see the troubling future.
1. 1 Th 4:15-18 KJV 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.
C. The hope of the Rapture gives the believer an endurance quality to his faith.
Mat 24:12-13 KJV And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold. (13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
D. It can be a deciding factor in helping a person to finally make up him mind
to be saved. Often men want to put of getting saved just one more day. The
warning that Jesus is going to come in an unexpected time can cause a person to
not delay giving their life over to the will of God.
1. Mat 24:42-44 KJV Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth
come. (43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what
watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered
his house to be broken up. (44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour
as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
2. Mark 13:32-37 KJV But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (33) Take ye heed,
watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. (34) For the Son of man is as
a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his
servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. (35)
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at
even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: (36) Lest coming
suddenly he find you sleeping. (37) And what I say unto you I say unto all,
Watch.
