Revelation Revisited

Scripture states “no one knows the day or hour” when the Rapture will happen. Rest assured no one knows! But just as assuredly know, it will happen!
 
Focus should remain on the purpose, not the timing. ‘When’ a specific event is to happen is less relevant than knowing and believing its inevitability. The key isn’t knowing ‘when’ a prophecy may occur but why it will happen, what it means, and what can be known or done to prepare for its eventuality?
 
Like many aspects of biblical scripture, particularly prophecy, interpretations often vary. This can ‘muddy the waters’ but fundamentally prophetic dichotomies reinforce imperatives being presented. What do I mean by this? As stated originally in this series the more one explores scripture and prophecy the better one can understand the information studied.
 
Although there will be environmental and cosmic disturbances in the first three and one-half years in the seven year Tribulation period, this will be a time of general ‘peace and security’ for many. Within this sense of wellbeing continued intensity of environmental calamities will be viewed as escalations of climate change and not as prophesied End Time events.
 
In the run-up to these events will be awareness ahead of time and predictability. The increasing severity of events and extent of their consequences in each time frame will grow greater and more obvious. However, people may be so encumbered by survival efforts they may miss entirely the focus and purpose of what’s taking place around them. The fallout/consequences of events in each of the two tribulation periods will be destructive and terrifying.
 
The Rapture will remove from the earth Jesus’ believers and followers. Dead or alive as a believer in Christ you will be a Rapture participant. But back to our question, When?
 
‘When will the Rapture occur’ is answered in a circuitous manner. According to scripture, we have three options. They are, ‘Pre-Tribulation, Mid Tribulation, or Post Tribulation.’ Remember the tribulation period is seven years in length, divided into two separate yet intertwined periods of three and one-half years each (Wrath of Jesus/Wrath of God, or End Times/Last Days).
 
Believers who put their faith in a ‘Pre-Tribulation’ Rapture think it will happen right before, or in conjunction with the first trumpet blast from heaven. The seventh Seal will be broken on the scroll in heaven, followed by a period of silence (preparation) in heaven for one-half hour (Rev 8:1).
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We don’t know the actual length of this ‘half-hour’ time frame, it may be preceded or followed by the first trumpet blast. The sounding of this trumpet coincides with the confirmation of the treaty which ends the Ezekiel War, signifying the start of the seven ‘tribulation’ years.
 
A ‘Mid-Tribulation’ rapture occurs at the Mid Tribulation point (end of the first three and one-half year period). This rapture time coincides with the blowing of the Fifth trumpet in heaven. It needs to be reiterated that the importance of Mid- Tribulation can’t be underestimated. It’s at this point everything changes (Mt 24:15-21).
 
With the blast sound of the fifth trumpet, the ‘Last Days’ begin, the Antichrist comes to power, the worst time in all of history starts. Israel is invaded and defeated, the Two Witnesses are killed, the Abomination of Desolation takes place (Antichrist enters the Third Jewish Temple and occupies God’s mercy seat), the Mark of the Beast is instituted, and the Antichrist’s worldwide domination is underway.
 
Between the final Trumpets (5, 6, and 7), the Bowl decrees of God, and the Antichrist’s rule death and destruction is global. Mid-Tribulation rapture believers understand their removal from earth will be before the beginning of this horrific time (the second 3 and one-half year period).
 
‘Post-Tribulation’ believers think the Rapture will be part of Jesus Christ’s ‘Second Coming’ arrival/appearance at the end of the seven years, in conjunction with blast of the seventh trumpet (Mt 24:30-31). When will the Rapture take place? At one of these three points in time! It will happen! Will you be ready? And more importantly, will you be part of it?
 
Join me next time in Part 6 when we examine the most important days in the last two thousand years.



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