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| Beam Me Up Scotty! (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; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJ Ver.) Clearly, the "Day of the Lord" (rapture and judgement), occurs after the anti-christ reveals himself by claiming to be God and then seating himself in the temple of God (This occurs mid-way through the tribulation). Note also that the "falling away" is brought about by the anti-christ or great deceiver. 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. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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. (Luke 21:34-36 KJ Ver.) Verse 36 is particular is often quoted to show our escape or 'rapture' from the things that come to pass. In verse 34 we are told to be careful of ourselves, or we might forget to watch for the coming day, because we are too busy surfeiting (eating) and drinking, or that we may become depressed with the day to day worries of life. We should keep watch or the day will surprise us. Not an imminent rapture at all because christians are commanded to prepare themselves for that day. Verse 35 tells us that 'that day' will come upon all who live upon the earth. All! Clearly the rapture and judgement are one in the same, with the christians standing before God after escaping the "great tribulation". But of the times and the season, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and lvoe; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 KJ Ver.) In verse 3, we see that the christians will not be surprised by the Lord's coming, but instead are watching for it. Again, the Lord's coming is an escape from the tribulation and the pouring out of God's wrath (the bowl judgements) and not an escape from the tribulation period. Jump to Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Previous___________________Main Directory___________________Next |