A Layman Looks at the Word: Resurrection Rapture Rescue

God is so good. He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus to die for us and deliver us from sin and His wrath, Jn 3:16. You see God requires justice, and His Word says:
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God had originally made man to be an eternal companion, but the original man, Adam broke the only command that God had said and sin and death entered the world. His wife, Eve was tempted by the devil and he followed her lead.
Gn 2:16 ¶ And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

God is loving and righteous, but perfect and so, requires perfection. When there is sin, there is death. Adam's life was prolonged because God instituted innocent animal sacrifice to cover man's sin from year to year.

God made covenant with a man called Abraham 430 years before Moses and Abraham believed what God said and followed him. God counted that to him as righteousness. It was God's plan to have a close relationship with men, like Abraham and they would be His special treasure and follow God. Man would not allow the goodness that God wanted to give by His Grace, and wanted to depend upon their own ability to earn God's favor. That did not, and does not work.

At the time of Moses, God instituted the law, 613 commandments. Most of us are familiar with the first 10. If you could keep all of the commandments, you would be perfect in God's sight. No one could do that.

So God sent Himself to be a man, born from a virgin, to live a perfect life without ever breaking God's law, and so, to be without sin. This was Jesus, who bore the wrath of God so that we could be free from wrath and blessed. Who bore man's sin so that we could become his righteousness. Who bore our sickness that we could be healed. He experienced death, so we could have eternal life.

After Jesus was crucified by the Roman government prompted by the Religious Jews who would not believe that He was the prophesied Messiah, God raised Him from the dead, and He now sits at the right hand of God as King of the Universe. All who come to God, come through Him. He promised that He would come again for His followers.

I gave this brief history to give you a glimpse of the Heart of God. He loves you dearly and wants the best for you.

First Resurrection

Now there are several resurrections from the dead in the Bible. But many are individuals who were raised from the dead, and then died again.

Before the resurrection of Jesus, no one went to heaven when they died. Man's sin had touched heaven and nobody could enter. They went to a place called Sheol in Hebrew, or Hades in Greek. Literally this is the grave. There is a chasm between the upper and lower parts of Hades, the upper part being called Paradise. The lower part is commonly known as "hell" and sits over the lake of fire, Lk 16. By the way, no one is in the lake of fire now. The first entrants will be the anti-Christ and False Prophet, Rev 19:20. The lake of fire was made for the devil and his angels, Mt 25:41.

When Jesus was on the cross their were two thieves on either side. The one on the left said if you are the Son of God save yourself and us, while the one on the right scolded the other thief and said this man was innocent. Then he looked at Jesus and said, "Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise."

In Eph 4 we read that Jesus descended into Hades (Paradise) and preached to the spirits in prison. He took them out of there at His resurrection.

Mt 27:50 ¶ 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.

This is the first recorded resurrection of the Old Testament Saints who believed in and trusted in God and believed in the coming Messiah. These are people ranging from Adam to John the Baptist.

In all the other religions in the world, their leaders are in the grave. But, Christianity is different; Jesus' tomb is empty, for He was the firstborn of the dead and lives as God and our King eternally.

Rapture and Second Resurrection

The word rapture is not in the Bible. It comes from a Latin word 'rapturo' that means to "catch away upward". In English it is also defined as intense joy.

One of the foundation scriptures supporting the catching away of the Church to meet Jesus is:

1Thess 4:13 ¶ 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.

The next scripture is: 1 Cor 15: 51 ¶ 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?

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.

Here we see when Jesus returns for His Church, the dead that are in Christ are raised first and then those who are alive will be changed to immortals instantly.

Well we need to talk about the time here. Many Christians only believe in the 2nd coming, which is actually at the last battle on the earth or Armageddon. Here is a time line:

In the scheme of things there is a period called the tribulation, which is the last time of "Jacob's trouble" and a period of 7 years. This is a time of trouble greater that the world has ever seen. In fact Jesus said unless those days were shortened, none would survive. It is the last time of judgement on Israel for rejecting their Messiah, Jesus. It is also a time of judgement on the earth for those who reject Jesus and destroy the earth, Daniel and Revelation.

The rapture will take place to take the Church of Jesus Christ out of the earth for this terrible time.

Jesus has paid the price for His own so that they do not suffer the wrath of God. This is Salvation and a free gift by God's Grace for those who will believe in Jesus.

Ro 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thess 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

The Bible calls the Church of Jesus, His Bride. This is represented in several places in Scripture; Song of Solomon, the story of Isaac and Rebecca, the story of Boaz and Ruth, to name a few. In Revelation, John is shown the Bride of Christ in the final chapters. We as Jesus' Bride are to meet Him in the air at the Rapture and be forever with Him.

While the tribulation period is taking place on the earth, Jesus' Church and Bride are having a wedding feast with Him in Heaven.

Rev 19:6 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.

There will be many that come to Jesus Christ during the 7 year tribulation, however the evil anti-Christ who will rule the New World Order government will cause those who worship Jesus to be executed; usually by beheading. In Revelation 7 you see a great number who are slain for Jesus and His testimony standing before God in Heaven.

During this time 144,000 Israeli evangelists will be preaching their Messiah Yeshua (Jesus in Hebrew) throughout the world.

There will also be two prophets of God that preach in Jerusalem. They have supernatural power and will continue with their message directly to Israel. Paul tells us that all of Israel will be saved. Zechariah tells us that they will mourn for the one they pierced. I believe that these two prophets are Enoch and Elijah. These are the only two men in the Bible who were raptured without experiencing death. Revelation tells us that they will be killed by the anti-Christ after their ministry is complete. Then after 3 1/2 days they will be called by God and raised from the dead and taken to Heaven.

Mid-Tribulation Rapture for 144,000

It appears that John sees another Rapture for those marked by God in the middle of the Tribulation in Rev 14:
1 ¶ 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.

God does not forget his new saints which have come to Jesus from the word of the 144,000, the prophecy and words of Enoch and Elijah, and the words of the Angels of God in the heavens preaching the gospel. It is another Rapture mid-tribulation that will deliver Jesus' own from the horrible finish of the time of wrath.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; 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, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee 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.

These cannot be the dead, for they are not raised until the end of the Tribulation in Rev 20:4-5.

Following these verses is another angel with a sickle for the evil ones that throws them into the winepress of the wrath of God.
Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee 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.
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 thy 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.

This scripture is leading us to Armageddon and the last battle of the Tribulation of Satan against Jesus where the blood will flow for 200 miles as deep as a horse's bridle bit.

Post Tribulation Resurrection

After the anti-Christ and the armies of the world come against Jesus and the armies of Heaven at Armageddon, we see the resurrection of those Christians killed in the Tribulation. The coming of Jesus here is commonly referred to as the Second Coming. Jesus said that the whole world will see Him return as Heaven is opened and He appears like lightning from the East to the West.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Do not get confused by the phrase in vs 5 that this is the first resurrection. It is the first resurrection after the Tribulation. We have already seen two resurrections prior to this in Scripture.

These who are resurrected to be Kings and Priests of our Lord Jesus will still be part of the Bride of Christ.

The last resurrection is of the unjust at the end of the millenial reign of Christ.
Rev 20:11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

A word here about the lake of fire. It was not created for man, but for the devil and his angels that rebelled against God. The first entrants will be the anti-Christ and the false prophet. It was not the will of God that any would perish, but some people will not accept God's Salvation which is through His Son, Jesus.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I believe that there will be some that pass the judgment of the Great White Throne. I mean God is fair and there are some who have died that have never heard about the Salvation of God in Jesus and yet have lived their lives as good people, in line with God's Word. Jesus is the Word made flesh. I see nothing in scripture that says that Paradise has not been repopulated since Jesus' resurrection, or that it is not a place in Hades still. Be that as it may if you are in Jesus, you have nothing to fear and will not be part of the Great White Throne Judgment.

Christian Judgement

There will be a judgment for the Christian. It is called the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema Judgment in Greek.

1 Cor 3:11 ¶ 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.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

This is a proceeding to determine reward, like the one who finishes a race at the Olympics (Bema). There will not be any sin brought up, for that is removed by the Blood of Christ. The judgment then is what did you do with your Salvation? Will it stand the test of fire? And this is the fire of God, which came on the day of Pentecost, 2000 years ago and will come in the future to cleanse the whole planet. Then the New Jerusalem arrives and eternity begins.

Summary

So we have seen the Old Testament Church who died in faith of the coming Messiah, raised from the dead to ascend into Heaven with Jesus at His resurrection.

We wait now for Jesus to come in the clouds with the sound of the trumpet and take Saints from the last 2000 years.

Then we who are alive at His coming in the clouds will be changed to immortals without death and meet the Lord in the air and in the clouds, 1 Thess 4:13-.

With the Church gone, the anti-Christ will rise to power over the earth and the 7 year tribulation begins.

God marks the 144,000 Israeli evangelists to preach to the earth of the Jewish Messiah.

God sends Enoch and Elijah to preach in Jerusalem as powerful prophets. When they are finished, the anti-Christ will kill them and after 3 1/2 days God raises them from the dead and takes them to Heaven.
Angels of God preach the everlasting gospel as they fly through the heavens.

Mid-Tribulation God raptures (redeems) the 144,000 and then the Saints that are alive with the sickle of the one who appears like the Son of man.

Jesus returns with all the Saints and has war with the anti-Christ and his armies, Armageddon. The 2nd coming for all the world to see. He sets foot on the earth at the Mt. of Olives and it splits and divides with an earthquake, Zec 14:4. The Christians who become so in the Tribulation will know of the exact date of the coming of Jesus.

This was revealed to Daniel that the anti-Christ would take away the sacrifice in the temple that will be built and place an image of himself in the temple which marks the exact time for the return.

Dan 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

The last 45 days probably include the resurrection of the Saints that were martyred during the Tribulation and the setting up of the Kingdom of Jesus on the earth.

The last resurrection recorded in Scripture is at the end of the 1000 year reign of Jesus on the earth, which is a rest for the earth and the last chance for those people in that period to receive Jesus. There will be the Great White Throne judgement where everyone's actions good and bad are laid bare before the Supreme Judge, Rev 20.

After this is eternity with God the Father and God the Son, Jesus reigning from the New Jerusalem on earth. There will be no need of further resurrections or Raptures for if you are mortal, you can eat of the trees of life at Jerusalem and live forever. Immortals are already in a body similar to that of Jesus, Phil 3:21.

For the Skeptics

Jesus spoke of the coming resurrection when He went to raise his friend Lazarus from the dead. Martha, Lazarus' sister, went out to meet Jesus and told him that if he would have been here, her brother would not have died. Jesus told her he would rise again. She responded that she knew he would rise again at the resurrection. Lazarus had been dead for 4 days.

Jn 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Can you see here the roots of what Paul wrote in Thessalonians and Corinthians spoken by our Master?

The dead in Christ will rise and then those alive will be changed and never die. This is the coming of Jesus in the clouds; the resurrection and the Rapture.

The last Prophet of the OT is Malachi which mentions the event of the Rapture.
Mal 3:16 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.

Here are some Scriptures that declare protection of Christians (God's own) from God's wrath that will be poured out during the Tribulation:

Rm 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Isa 57:1 ¶ The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

Isa 26:19 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.

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.

1 Thess 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Lk 21:34 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.

Zeph 2:1 ¶ Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;

2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you.

3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.

Na 1:2 ¶ God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

More Scriptures that Testify to the Pre-Trib Rapture

Rv 4:1 ¶ After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

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.

9 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.

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Mt 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 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.

Dan 12:1 ¶ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Lk 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

I have given you a lot of golden nuggets from Scripture that stand behind the Rapture of the Church. I am sure with study and research you can find more for it is no longer a hidden truth.

One day soon, the trumpet will sound. Do not try and place the trumpet into the 7 trumpets in Revelation, for it will confuse you. Many festivals and special events were announced with trumpets. To try and guess the exact time is also futile, but Jesus told us to take heed of the signs of the times.

There have been many signs in the last several years such as: increased violent storms, increased number and intensity of earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, and signs in the heavens like the blood moons and eclipses that fall on Jewish festivals.