RAPTURE OR RAPTURES??                     

                        January 2015

 

As most know, the main controversy regarding the rapture relates to the aspect of timing.  Some people believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, some a mid-tribulation and others a post-tribulation rapture.  For example, I believe that the modern-day Church has mostly ‘bought in’ to a pre-tribulation rapture.  They would be correct!   Then, we have those who are just as adamant about a mid-tribulation, or later rapture.  They would also be correct!  

 

But…how can credible, experienced believers (and scholars) be so adamant about one, or the other options?  In fact, one can make a solid scriptural case for a ‘pre-tribulation or a later rapture.  This is what fuels the controversy! 

 

I once had a Pastor who wrote an excellent book on the subject.  He went into great detail and proved, by scripture, that both a pre-tribulation, and a later rapture, are valid.  Others have done a similar work.  How can this be?

 

I have come to believe that there may be a very simple answer to this question.  Unfortunately, we have been conditioned to believe that truth has to be based on being either ‘this or that’…..when sometimes it is ‘this and that’.  This is the only reasonable explanation for so many credible people having differing opinions on the timing of the rapture.

 

Let’s examine the ‘pre-tribulation’ rapture of ‘The Church at Philadelphia’ as referred to in the book of Revelation, chapter three:

 

“Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I will also keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.  He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God (His coming, governing kingdom), and he will not go out from it anymore; and; I will write upon him (1) the name of My God, (2) the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God and (3) My new name (Rev. 3: 10, 12).

 

 

 

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Next, let’s look at another facet of ‘the pre-tribulation group’ that comes into view; (i.e. The Bride Company), the 144,000 first born of the earthly Church to enter into the glories of the heavenly realm. They are referred to as “the 144,000 first fruits”. These are the spiritual seed of Abraham.

 

And I looked, and behold the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.  And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.  And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased (raptured) from the earth.  These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste (sanctified and set apart unto God).  These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.  These have been purchased (raptured) from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 14: 1-4).

 

The Bride Company, as “first fruits”, is a ‘type’ of the first Spring harvest of Barley.  Some of this grain would ripen (mature) early and would be offered to God as a sheaf offering of ‘first fruits’.          

 

Also, the ‘caught-away description’ of this ‘Bride Company’ as “first fruits” might suggest that there may be other ‘fruits’ to follow.  Could this imply more than one ‘rapture’? 

 

The other group of 144,000, mentioned in Revelation chapter 7, (taken from the 12 tribes of Israel), represent the natural seed of Abraham.  You’ll note that these verses make no mention of Jesus (the Lamb of God).  This makes sense since Jesus was rejected by Israel.  They are referred to as “bond servants” rather than “first fruits” as is the case in Revelation, chapter 14.

 

 

 

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Now let’s look at yet another mention of ‘the pre-tribulation group’ involving the ten virgins who were watching and awaiting the arrival of the Bridegroom.

 

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.  For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.  Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.  But at midnight there was a shout.  ‘Behold the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him’.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the prudent, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.”  But the prudent answered saying, “No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves”  And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.  And later, the other virgins also came, saying, ’Lord, Lord, open up for us’.  But he answered and said, “truly I say to you, I do not know you.’  Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”  Matthew 25: 1-13).

 

This parable indicates a ‘pre-tribulation’, ‘pre-wedding’ rapture and clearly reveals that there were those who were left behind. Only those who were watching and ready entered (the kingdom) to attend the ‘wedding’

    

Some folks attempt to explain away the foolish (unwise) virgins as being left behind, because they were ‘lost’ (‘unsaved’).  But, I cannot find anywhere in the Bible where the ‘lost’ are referred to as “virgins”.  Further, would unsaved people be found “going out to meet the bridegroom at midnight”(Matt. 25: 1); probably not. 

 

But… what we do know (from the parable of the Ten Virgins) is that there was a left behind group of believers who were not ready. To this end, readiness not timing is the important factor with respect to the rapture.

 

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  This could explain why the main body of Christ will have to go through some part, or all, of the tribulation.  They were left behind because God knew that they were not ready.  However, some will become ready, during the tribulation, and will enter His kingdom to become joint-heirs (His Governing Body).  But, some will not be ready, even after enduring tribulation.

 

Nevertheless, ALL THOSE WHO REMAIN (those left behind) will be taken to heaven in the main harvest rapture  (just prior to the 2^nd coming of Christ), to attend The Judgment Seat of Christ.  All believers will be ‘summoned to court’.

 

The main harvest rapture is typified by the Wheat harvest which, after being ripened by the heat of summer is harvested in early fall.

 

“For we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of God” (Romans 14: 10).

 

I therefore conclude that If it is true that some will be left behind…. yet…. all will attend the Judgment Seat of Christ…..then it follows that there must be more than one rapture!

 

However, the parable of the ten virgins raises another important conclusion; namely, that ‘the Bride’ does not include the whole Church.

 

Now, please note the following scripture passage, as given, by Jesus, that seems to indicate a post-tribulation’ rapture.

 

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds or the sky with power and great glory.  And He will send the angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24: 29-31.

 

“But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved” Matthew 14: 13).

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So, we have a situation where honorable and credible people differ about the timing of the rapture.  It seems that both a pre-tribulation and a pre-wrath rapture could be valid.

 

However, if true, this is a real conundrum for those who find themselves in ‘the either… or camp’, with respect to ‘the rapture’!

 

 

Tyler Cole, author