WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE OCCUR?

When will the Rapture occur? Will the Rapture take place before, after, or during the Tribulation? The on-going controversy about the timing of the Rapture of the saints is making its rounds throughout Christendom once again. The fact that this subject has been an issue among Bible-believing people for so long indicates that it belongs to the province of "things hard to be understood"--2 Peter 3:16.

Indeed, there is no one verse or passage which categorically answers the question conclusively. The true teaching of Scripture on this subject must be searched out through patient study and careful application of the laws of Bible interpretation.

There are several theories concerning exactly when and how the Lord Jesus Christ will return. The major so-called `Rapture Positions' are usually termed: Pre-tribulational, Post-tribulational, Mid-tribulational, Pre- Wrath, and Partial Rapture. The prefixes `pre,' `post,' `mid,' etc. basically fix the timing of the Rapture with respect to the Tribulation (which more accurately should be called the "70TH Week" of Daniel 9).

Books, books, and more books have been written on this subject--proposing and defending these opinions, or criticizing others. It is not within the scope of this article to completely exhaust the matter, and what follows is a brief explanation of the PRETRIBULATIONAL RAPTURE of the saints, with some of the Scriptural reasons for why we believe this to be so.

We must begin this limited study by stating some basic premises. These propositions may be challenged by some, but their defense will have to wait for another time. It should be noted that they are all basically accepted by PREMILLENNIALISTS regardless of their view of the Rapture.
PREMISE #1--The Lord Jesus Christ will return some day in a personal, visible, and bodily manner (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20; Revelation 22:12, etc.).

PREMISE #2--The return of the Lord Jesus Christ, though prophesied as a singular event, has two distinguishable phases: when Jesus comes for His saints (2 Thessalonians 2:1), and when Jesus comes with His saints (Jude 14,15). This is not unusual, since Old Testament prophecies of the first advent of Christ focused upon the cradle (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2) and the cross (e.g. Isaiah 53:3-10; Micah 5:1)--two phases of His first coming.

PREMISE #3--There is a future period of time, lasting approximately seven years, which begins with a covenant and concludes with a consummation. This is prophesied in Daniel 9:27 and will be referred to hereafter as "Daniel's 70TH Week." The covenant is made between the Jews and a `coming prince' (the Antichrist); the consummation refers to the return of Jesus Christ in power and glory to "bring in everlasting righteousness."

PREMISE #4--The so-called `Rapture' refers to the resurrection, glorification, and translation of deceased and living believers which occurs at the coming of Christ (I Corinthians 15:51,52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

PREMISE #5--Daniel's 70TH Week will experience a major change at its central point: Satan will be cast down to the earth (Revelation 12:7-9,12), and Israel's [false] Messiah will become the "abomination of desolations" (Revelation 13; Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4,8- 11).

PREMISE #6--Although the events predicted to occur during Daniel's 70TH Week consist of the climactic outpouring of the judgments of God, there will be many (both Jew and Gentile) who will turn to Christ and be saved within this period (Revelation 7:4,9,14; 20:4).

PREMISE #7--Believers of this present age are "not appointed...to wrath" (I Thessalonians 5:9), but will be "kept from the hour...which shall come upon all the world" (Revelation 3:10).

While Bible believers on all sides of the Rapture question generally accept these premises, the fundamental question arises out of the second premise which says that there are two phases to Christ's return--the Rapture and the Revelation. The Post- tribulationalist sees these events happening concurrently, believing that Christ comes to the air to "catch up" the saints and then immediately descends with them to the Mount of Olives on the earth (Zechariah 14:3,4). The Pre-tribulationalist believes that the Rapture and the Revelation are separated by Daniel's 70TH Week or by approximately seven years. The Mid-tribulation and Pre-Wrath Rapture advocates also consider their position to be pre-tribulational inasmuch as they view the Great Tribulation (or the Day of Wrath) as comprising only a part of Daniel's 70TH Week--namely the latter part.

The implication of one's position on this matter (while certainly not a matter of Heaven or Hell) is nevertheless significant. All would agree that if one is truly a blood-washed, born-again child of God, participation in the blessed hope is certain--whether it happens to be pre-, post-, mid-, or whatever!! (Praise the Lord, He isn't bound by the theories of man!) Nevertheless this issue does raise the very practical question: "Will living Christians enter Daniel's 70TH Week?" Yes! says the Post- tribulationalist, but God's special providence will protect them. Yes! says the Mid-Tribulationalist, but the Rapture will remove them prior to the beginning of the Tribulation. Yes! says the Pre-Wrather, but the Rapture will remove them prior to the final outpouring of the Wrath of God. No! says the Pre- Tribulationalist; the Rapture will signal the beginning of Daniel's 70TH Week.

Before proceeding with a consideration of this great issue, there is a need to insert three more propositions. These will not be as readily accepted by the vast majority of Premillennialists, but they need to be stated nonetheless. These premises deal with some cardinal errors found in practically all the preaching and writing on the subject of Bible prophecy--whatever the position held. Not only do they have a bearing upon this study, but they should alert Bible-believing Baptists to the danger of jumping onto the interdenominational bandwagon they usually reflect.

PREMISE #8--It is unscriptural to speak of the `Rapture of the Church.' This terminology comes from the error of believing in a "universal, invisible, mystical body of Christ, `Church'"--something which is not found in the Bible! There is NO SUCH THING as `The Church' to be found in the New Testament (except where it is speaking generically)--only churches, which are assemblies (thus visible and local) of baptized believers organized according to the New Testament pattern to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19,20). This teaching belongs to a triad of errors--joining itself with the "Pentecost Birthday of `The Church'" theory and the "Holy Spirit Baptism" theory (that all believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the universal `body of Christ'). Most prophetic studies and writings are mangled in their ecclesiology. A more Biblically sound term would be "The Rapture of The Saints."

PREMISE #9--The pure, preserved Word of God in the English language is the Authorized, King James Version. Arguments which must turn to the `original' Greek to prove a point or correct any Bible passage are in error. The same applies to arguments which depend upon the statements of `Church' Fathers, apocryphal writings, or other good, godly men. There must be only one authority--the pure, preserved Word of God in the English language!

PREMISE #10--Successfully refuting one particular position on the Rapture does not necessarily prove another. For example, when a Pretribulationalist scripturally demolishes an argument put forward for a Post-tribulational Rapture, he does not automatically prove that Pretribulationalism is the correct view. This fact is pointed out because many assumptions are often made which, although correct, have not been arrived at through sound Bible study methods.

TRIBULATION AND THE LORD'S CHURCHES

One of the common arguments for the belief that Christians will enter Daniel's 70TH Week is the mention of the saints and the elect within references to the Tribulation. For example, Daniel 7:25 refers to the saints being worn out by the Antichrist (see also Revelation 13:7,10; 16:6); Matthew 24:22,24 refers to the elect as being very clearly in the Great Tribulation. Because present-day believers are referred to as `saints' (Philippians 1:1) and the `elect' (Colossians 3:12), the inference is then made that Christians must be present in the Tribulation. This is an error. We bring this point up because it focuses on one of the major foundations of the Pre-tribulational Rapture interpretation as well as highlighting a fundamental difference between this position and all the other views. The Pre-Tribulational Rapture position makes a clear and consistent distinction between prophetic groups. 1Corinthians 10:32 speaks of the Jews, the Gentiles, and the church of God. (New Testament churches are made up of baptized believers--Jew and Gentile!) It is absolutely vital to maintain these distinctions, especially when studying Bible prophecy. God's covenants and dealings with Israel cannot be transferred to New Testament churches or believers of this present age. The fact is, Jews are also called saints (2 Chronicles 6:41) and elect (Isaiah 65:9,22), and the references to the saints and the elect within Daniel's 70TH Week cited above do not refer to Christians, but to Jews. This is a crucial matter in the interpretation of Biblical prophecy. Additionally:

- The prophecy of the 70 Weeks found in Daniel 9:24-27 is related to "thy [Daniel's] people"--the Jews, and to "thy [Daniel's] holy city"--Jerusalem. (See: verse 24). Therefore, the 70TH Week of the future is Jewish in prospect. Jeremiah 30:7 refers to it as a "time of Jacob's [Israel's] trouble."

- The prophecy of unprecedented trouble in Daniel 12:1 is twice said to refer to "thy [Daniel's] people," and that Daniel was instructed to seal the Book which detailed this period of tribulation until "the time of the end."

- The Book of The Revelation (notably Chapters 6--19) unfolds this period as Jesus Christ Himself opens the seals (Revelation 5:1,6,7; 6:1). Therefore, this portion of The Revelation must be taken as referring to the Jews unless it clearly states otherwise (e.g. Revelation 7:9).

- The teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24, although spoken to His disciples, is set in a Jewish context (23:37--24:2), deals with a Jewish subject (24:15), and uses Jewish points of reference (Juda--verse 16; Sabbath--verse 20).

Having said all of that, the point is this: Since the Lord's churches have been promised tribulation (John 15:18- 23; 16:32,33; etc.) and have experienced tribulation (I Thessalonians 3:4) and have been subject to some of the most horrific tribulation (Hebrews 11:36-38 in the context of Baptist history) for the past 1,900+ years, for what stated purpose would the Lord then have them enter into an end-time period which is specifically said to be a Jewish tribulation (Ezekiel 22:17-22)?? It is not that God would be without a witness during this time, because the Bible says He will raise up 144,000 JEWS as His servants (Revelation 7:3-8) along with His 2 witnesses (Revelation 11:3--usually identified as Moses and Elijah, 11:6).

Furthermore, 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 contrasts those tribulations which have been experienced by Christians from the time of John the Baptist to the present with the Tribulation coming upon the earth in Daniel's 70TH Week. Present-day persecution and tribulation (verse 4) is said to be a token (verse 5) of that which God will recompense to those who trouble His churches (verse 6).

It is interesting that in the Book of The Revelation there is no mention of a New Testament church in the 6 through 19 section. Chapters 2 and 3 are addressed to New Testament churches ("the things which are"--i.e., present tense), and in Chapter 4 we see the apostle John experiencing a rapture--preceding the unfolding of the sealed book and the events which follow. Compare Revelation 3:22 with Revelation 13:9. In this Rapture experience of the apostle John, we notice there is a trumpet-like voice, a call to "come up hither," and an immediate entrance into Heaven's glory (Revelation 4:1,2). The only other place in the Book where the call "come up hither" is extended is found in Revelation 11:12, where the two witnesses are raptured after they rise from the dead and show themselves to an astounded world. This event occurs in the middle of the 70TH Week.

Also, when John is ushered into glory, he sees the 24 elders seated around the throne of God (Revelation 4:4). These elders may be identified from Scripture as being representative of the Lord's churches. Why? Because in Revelation 5:10 they affirm that the Lamb has made them "kings and priests"--the same promise given earlier in Revelation 1:6 which is clearly addressed "to...the churches..." (1:1). No other group of people is given that unconditional promise, and the fact that these elders are clothed in white raiment (i.e. glorified--Revelation 3:5) before the opening of the seven-sealed book further demonstrates that the Rapture occurs before the 70TH Week unfolds.

In addition to all of this, the promise given to the Lord's churches in Revelation 3:10 not only relates to a future period of testing (thus differentiating it from the tribulations experienced during this present age), but also targets this `hour' upon the earth and in particular those "that dwell upon the earth"--begging the fact that there will also be those who are not on the earth, as Revelation 3:11 explains. The expression `earth dwellers' is peculiar to Daniel and The Revelation--see: Revelation 6:10; 11:10; 13:8,14; 14:6; 17:8. Those who would take present-day saints into Daniel's 70TH Week and see martyrdom for many of them in Revelation 7:14 deny this promise! It is only by the most uncomfortable of grammatical contortions that the plain sense of "I also will keep thee FROM the hour of temptation" can be made to mean that God will bring His churches through this unspeakable time of horror. Such a scenario doesn't line up with Scriptures such as Daniel 7:21 and Revelation 13:7.

Coming back to the question: If the Lord's churches are destined to pass through a part or all of Daniel's 70TH Week, what is God's plan and purpose in that? He has a clearly stated purpose for bringing the nation of Israel through that time--their national salvation, Ezekiel 20:34-38; Zechariah 13:9! He has a clearly stated purpose for pouring out His righteous judgments upon the heathen--Isaiah 2:10-12; 13:11. But what of the churches?? Is it the Bridegroom's purpose to sanctify and cleanse His virgin bride by allowing her to pass through up to seven years of unspeakable wrath and tribulation? Not according to Ephesians 5:26,27--the spots and wrinkles will be removed by the "washing of water by the word [not wrath]"!!

In 2 Corinthians 5:11 the Bible speaks of the "terror of the Lord" as it applies to believers. But what is the context of this? It is referring to the Judgment Seat of Christ (verse 10), where every saint will personally answer to the Master f or his service through his church--I Corinthians 3:9- 15--after the Rapture!

THE DAY OF CHRIST AND THE MAN OF SIN

The church at Thessalonica was well acquainted with the teachings of God's Word on the subject of Christ's second coming. In each chapter of both Books, reference is made to the return of Christ. The believers there had been taught all about the Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) which was hitherto a `mystery'--I Corinthians 15:51. (The New Testament mysteries were truths which had not been revealed to the writers of the Old Testament--Romans 16:25,26.) They already knew about the "times and the seasons"--5:1, and the "day of the Lord"--5:2; these things were taught in the Old Testament.

However, it is also evident from 2 Thessalonians 2 that they had been confused and deceived by false teachers. Two early first century `Rapture Wrongs' were: one, that there is no Rapture--an error taught to the church at Corinth (I Corinthians 15:12&c); and two, that the Rapture had already taken place (2 Timothy 2:18). Evidently, it was this second heresy which had shaken the Thessalonian church. False scriptures had been received stating that the "day of Christ is at hand"--2:2. Since the Day of Christ refers to events in Heaven immediately following the Rapture--notably the Judgment Seat of Christ, 1Corinthians 1:7,8; 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6,10; 2:16--to say it was at hand (i.e. next) was the same as saying they had missed the Rapture! No wonder they were shaken and troubled!
But think about it: if those members of the church at Thessalonica had been taught that they might very well enter Daniel's 70TH Week, and had been led to believe that it was actually about to happen, why in the world were they shaken and troubled?? Certainly it would not be a pleasant time to endure, but it did mean that within seven or 3 1/2 years it would all be over. Well, the answer is obvious. They were shaken and troubled because they were looking for the Rapture. They had already been taught that the Day of the Lord would not overtake them (I Thessalonians 5:4); that they had not been appointed to this time of wrath (5:9).

In writing to correct this misunderstanding, the Apostle Paul first reminded them again of their blessed hope (2 Thessalonians 2:1). He explained that such a scenario could not be so (2:3); for if the Day of Christ was about to happen in Heaven, they would have already witnessed on earth a "falling away" and the revealing of the Antichrist.
This "falling away" refers to the wholesale and sudden removal of all godly restraint in the world--2:6-8. (The word "let" in verse seven means `hinder,' as in tennis.) According to 1John 4:3,4 it is the indwelling Holy Spirit of God Who overcomes the spirit of antichrist in this present age. The believers in the church at Thessalonica knew Him ("ye know"--verse 6), since "Christ in you"--Colossians 1:26,27, a mystery, is peculiar to all believers of this age (John 14:17). How else, then, can the Holy Spirit be taken out of the way except those who are indwelt by Him are removed? (This does not mean the Spirit's ministry will cease on earth, only that His restraining ministry, exercised through the Lord's churches and the present- day saints (Matthew 5:13-16), would end.) Immediately after the Rapture, the wicked will break the bands and cords of godly restraint--Psalm 2:3--and the world will be plunged into its darkest hour.

The revealing of the Antichrist also occurs at the beginning of Daniel's 70TH Week. He confirms the [Abrahamic] covenant with the Jews (Daniel 9:27) as he poses as their Messiah. With the opening of the first seal (Revelation 6:1,2), this imitator of Christ is depicted riding on a white horse as a victorious conqueror. He has a bow without arrows--indicating a peaceful (diplomatic) conquest with perhaps the threat of war. This will be the moment of apparent peace (Jeremiah 8:11; 1Thessalonians 5:3); Israel will be dwelling in unwalled (undefended) villages (Ezekiel 38:11). However, the next seal unfolded brings war (Revelation 6:4). Ezekiel 38 & 39 describes the invasion of Palestine by the Northern confederacy and Arab states. The resultant carnage is such that five-sixths of the armies from the North are destroyed, and Israel will spend seven years cleaning up. In this conflagration and the ensuing famine and death, one quarter of the world's population will perish. Peace has left the earth completely, and the Day of Wrath has begun (Revelation 6:5-8,12-17).

Remember, the Judgment Seat of Christ in Heaven (the Day of Christ) cannot begin until there is a precipitous falling away in the world and the Antichrist is revealed--and, that the Antichrist cannot be revealed until the present-day restraining ministry of the indwelling Christ in believers is taken out of the way.

THE DAY OF THE LORD

Because Mid-Tribulationalists and Pre-Wrath Rapturists usually agree with Pre-Tribulationalists that present-day believers and churches are "not appointed unto wrath," the issue between these sides reduces down to the question of exactly when does the Great Tribulation and/or the Day of Wrath begin?
The Mid-Tribulationalist points to Matthew 24:21 as the beginning of the Great Tribulation, concluding therefore that the Rapture must occur just prior to this point (thus sparing believers from the wrath to come).
The Pre-Wrath Rapture proponent points to the opening of the seventh seal (at a point of time within the last half of Daniel's 70TH Week) as the beginning of the Day of the Lord or the Day of Wrath, and therefore the time of the Rapture.
Therefore, we now concern ourselves with the question: "When does the Day of the Lord begin?"

I

First, it should be established that the Day of the Lord and the Day of Wrath are synonymous--see: Zephaniah 1:14,15.

Second, we can establish that the Day of the Lord is in fact an extended time period which also encompasses the millennial reign of Christ (Zechariah 14:1-4,8,9,20) and ends with the dissolution of the present heavens and the earth after the Great White Throne judgment (2 Peter 3:10- 13; Revelation 20:11-15). According to Isaiah 2, "that day" encompasses all the earthly prophetic events from the time when the Lord "ariseth to shake terribly the earth" (verses 19,21) to the Millennial kingdom of the exalted Christ (verses 2-4).

Third, the Pre-wrath Rapture innovation of distinguishing the Day of Wrath (a period of God's wrath) from the Great Tribulation (a time of man's wrath and Satan's wrath) has no Biblical warrant, simply because Matthew 24:21 states that the "Great Tribulation" (which begins with the desecration of the Temple by the Antichrist in the middle of Daniel's 70TH Week) will be as bad as it gets! There is nothing worse to come ("...no, nor EVER SHALL BE.") See also: Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:7. If the Day of the Lord is a separate period which follows the Great Tribulation, then, according to these Scriptures, it could not be so terrible! Furthermore, the Book of The Revelation makes it clear that divine judgments are in fact poured out with the opening of the seals (Revelation 6:7,8), as well as with the sounding of the trumpets (Revelation 8:7&c) and the pouring out of the vials (Revelation 16:2&c)--in other words, throughout all of Daniel's 70Th Week.

The Pre-wrath Rapture scheme of things also requires the Great Tribulation to be shortened in length to accommodate the Day of Wrath inside Daniel's 70TH Week. Support for this requirement is found in Matthew 24:22--"...except those days be shortened..." This verse does not teach that the Great Tribulation part of Daniel's 70TH Week will be made less than 3 1/2 years--it is stating that this world deserves far more of God's wrath and righteous judgment (to the point that no flesh be saved), but in His wonderful mercy (and for the sake of His elect--the Jews) God has already decreed this Great Tribulation to be of a short duration.

II

An apparent problem surfaces, however, when trying to establish the actual commencement point of the Day of the Lord. This is because Scripture passages such as 1Thessalonians 5:2,3 clearly state it will come unexpectedly and in a time of apparent peace, whereas other Scriptures such as Joel 2:31 with Matthew 24:29 would seem to place its beginning at the final battle of Armageddon and the return of Christ to the earth, preceded by visible signs.
As already noted, the only point in Daniel's 70TH Week when there will be apparent peace and safety on earth is when the Antichrist makes his appearance. This time of world peace will be short-lived, however, and from that time forth the earth will experience nothing but destruction, plagues, unrestrained wickedness, martyrdom, etc., to the end. Thus we see with the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6:12-17 that men recognize the "great day of his wrath is come"! Extending the `seal judgments' into the second half of Daniel's 70TH Week cannot be supported because the seventh seal introduces the `trumpet judgments'--Revelation 7:1,2&c--and the seventh trumpet sounds in Revelation 11:15 which occurs in the middle of the Week (see: Revelation 11:2; 12:6,14 where 42 months = 1,260 days = time + time + half a time = 3 1/2 years.)

This apparent problem is resolved when we consider three things:

ONE, the Old Testament seers, who spoke much of the Day of the Lord, were looking far off into the future and therefore did not always perceive the time perspective. This is analogous to looking at far-away mountains; we see the peaks, but not the distances between the peaks or the valleys in between. Remember, the Old Testament prophets did not see the `mysteries' of such things as a universal, invisible, spiritual kingdom of God (Mark 4:11), the indwelling Holy Spirit, or New Testament churches (Ephesians 5:32). Neither did they see the Rapture--I Corinthians 15:51! Old Testament prophecies looking far ahead to the Day of The LORD often see events as [apparently] concurrent.

TWO, the coming of the Day of the Lord is likened to childbirth--I Thessalonians 5:3. (See also the double prophecy of Isaiah 13:6-11, especially verse 8, and Jeremiah 30:6.) Labor in childbirth usually comes in waves of increasing intensity. The 70TH Week may begin with a hopeful peace, but quickly turns to travail. That this travail comes in waves may be discerned by studying the poured-out judgments in Revelation 6 through 16. There is mercy in God's wrath (Isaiah 60:10; Habakkuk 3:2) but with each ebb it seems man will not repent--Revelation 9:20,21. The climax of this travail comes when a new-born nation of Israel is delivered at the return of Jesus Christ (Zechariah 12:2,3,8-11; 13:1,6,8,9; Romans 11:26,27).

THREE, the celestial changes mentioned in Joel speak of the "great and terrible" day of the Lord, indicating this climactic point to be the final phase of that momentous travail. By the way, it is an error of interpretation to equate the `cosmic disturbances' of Revelation 6:12,13 (in the first half of Daniel's 70TH Week) with those of Matthew 24:29 (at the end of Daniel's 70TH Week). It is quite evident that there are at least three episodes of `cosmic disturbances' during this time--see: Revelation 8:12.

III

The Bible declares that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly (like a thief) at a time of apparent world peace, and will break upon the children of darkness (I Thessalonians 5:2-7). In this passage there is a series of contrasts between present-day believers ("ye," "we," "us," and "you") and those who will enter Daniel's 70TH Week ("they" and "them"). Paul clearly states that the members of the church at Thessalonica are "not of the night"--verse 5, and would not be overtaken by such a terrible day. It cannot be argued that present-day Christians could enter Daniel's 70TH Week and be cognizant of what was taking place because Jesus Himself taught His disciples that not only would the Day of the Lord come unexpectedly, but His coming for His own (the Rapture) would also be when least expected--Matthew 24:44; 25:5,6,13; Revelation 3:3. The Rapture, in fact, heralds the beginning of the Day of the Lord (on earth) and the Day of Christ (in Heaven).

IV

Mid-Tribulationalists make much of the "last trump" in 1Corinthians 15:52, pointing out that the sounding of the seventh trumpet judgment occurs in Revelation 11:15 in the middle of Daniel's 70TH Week--thereby establishing the timing of the Rapture at this point.

This conclusion fails to note any obvious differences between the Rapture trumpet (called the "trump of GOD"--I Thessalonians 4:16) and the trumpets of judgment sounded by angels (Revelation 8:2). The last 3 trumpets, of which the seventh is part, bring woe to the inhabiters of the earth--Revelation 8:13. This seventh trumpet/third woe is explained in Revelation 12:12, and finishes the mystery of God (the "mystery of iniquity"--2 Thessalonians 2:7,8)--Revelation 10:7.
Only by gross spiritualization can the resurrection of the two (literal, 3 1/2-day-dead, visible) witnesses be made to represent the Rapture of the saints.

V

Post-Tribulationalists make much of the parable of the "Wheat and Tares" in Matthew 13:24-30, citing the statement, "Let both grow together until the harvest" (verse 30) as proof that there will be a single-phase coming of Christ at the climactic end of Daniel's 70TH Week.

Aside from the fact that it is dangerous to make doctrine out of the details of parables, suffice it to say that the harvest is a staged event--Christ the firstfruits (I Corinthians 15:23a), the Rapture being the main part of the first resurrection (I Corinthians 15:23b). The second resurrection actually occurs after the Millennium! In the parable the tares are separated "to [future] burn," but the wheat is gathered into the barn. The Rapture will cause a separation between the wheat and tares. The saved will be taken home to the `barn' and the tares will be bound for a future burning.

IMMINENCY

This brings us to the next important consideration--imminency. By the imminent return of Christ we mean that the Lord Jesus Christ could return at any moment, that there are no specific prophetic events which must come to pass before the Rapture can happen. It does not mean that Christ will come soon, only that He may come soon. (Naturally, those who believe the Rapture will occur at some point within Daniel's 70TH Week reject this view of imminency, because if churches and present-day believers were to enter this period there would be numerous signs of His coming.)
The first sign of Christ's coming (Matthew 24:3f) is the "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15) which occurs in the middle of Daniel's 70TH Week. As already noted, this portion of Scripture is set in a distinctively Jewish context; furthermore, it is always the JEWS who require a sign--I Corinthians 1:22a, not the churches. There are no signs associated with any clear Rapture passage--only the instruction for the believer to be ready!
In the latter portion of Matthew 24, the Lord speaks of His return as it relates to present-day saints. Here, we are instructed to watch (verse 42), be ready (verse 44), and be busy (verse 46). Watch for what? The Antichrist? The False Prophet? No!!--the BLESSED HOPE and GLORIOUS APPEARING of our Lord Jesus Christ--Titus 2:13. The members of the church in Thessalonica were busy serving the Lord as they waited for--the wrath to come? No!--Go d's Son to return. We are instructed to OCCUPY until He comes--Luke 19:13.

It is interesting to note that whenever the Apostle Paul wrote of Christ's return for His saints, he included himself in the expectation of an any- time, any-moment Rapture (for example, see: 1Corinthians 15:51,52; 1Thessalonians 4:15,17 where Paul uses the "we" in contrast to the "they" and "them" believers who had already gone home to be with the Lord). He said, "We shall not all sleep." What a contrast our hope is with the hope of those embroiled in the horrific events of Daniel's 70TH Week given in Revelation 14:13--"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth"!
One of the common arguments raised against an imminent Rapture is the fact that when Paul was saved on the Damascus highway, God prophesied that he would preach to Gentiles, kings, and Jews--Acts 9:15. Therefore, it is contended, it would have been impossible for the Rapture to take place before Paul had completed his life's work. Yet Paul's own testimony was that he was looking for the Rapture--Philippians 3:20. And while he was looking for the Rapture, he was also expecting to die at any time--I Corinthians 15:30,31. The fact is, Paul's great object in life was to do the will of God. He did not have a "to do" list of things which had to be accomplished before Christ could come--everything he planned was "God willing"--Acts 18:21; Romans 1:10,13; 1Corinthians 4:19a; etc. Besides, how long did it take for him to fulfill Acts 9:15 anyway?? He preached to Jews straightway--Acts 9:20. It is quite possible that he preached to Aretas the king--2 Corinthians 11:32. He also preached to Grecians (Gentiles) in Acts 9:29, not to mention those in Arabia--Galatians 1:16,17--all of this long before he came to Thessalonica. (Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians is considered to be his first letter.)

The same answer applies to the argument of the Lord's prophecy concerning the Apostle Peter in John 21:18,19. Peter himself instructed believers in his day to "hope to the end" (I Peter 1:13). He never taught them to `hope for his death'! Besides, within days of receiving this prophecy, Peter's life was in peril. (See: Acts 4:3; and Acts 5:18.) When Peter's death seemed imminent (Acts 12:1-5), do we find the members of the church at Jerusalem rejoicing that the way for the Rapture to occur was about to be cleared? No! They were praying that God would spare Peter.

Imminency, when fully comprehended, has a profound effect upon the life of a Christian (I John 2:28-3:3). When we truly believe that at any moment of time we could be in the very presence of our Lord and Saviour, our lives will be effected radically. On the other hand, if one expects to enter Daniel's 70TH Week, that too would have a profound effect; but in this case the Christian would be better off looking for the Antichrist and preparing for an almost certain death (Revelation 6:11; 13:7,15). One might wonder if there will be any "which are alive and remain" when Christ finally would come! Jesus Himself, in Matthew 24:48,49, warned of the danger of believing that His coming might not be today. We are to have our `loins girded' in preparation for this moment--Luke 12:35-40. That means: ready to go, brother!!

What instructions would you give to someone if you knew they were to enter this period of unparalleled tribulation? Would you tell them to stock up on food stuffs (Revelation 6:6; 13:17)? Would you advise them to find a hiding place (Revelation 13:14)? Would you beg them not to believe anything they heard or saw (Revelation 13:14)? Would you warn them to expect death by beheading (Revelation 20:4)? In contrast, what instructions does the Bible give the churches of Jesus Christ "till he come"? Consistently, they are instructed to be faithful in their service, to watch, and to be ready at all times--Philippians 3:20; 1Thessalonians 1:9,10; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:28. They are never told to prepare for the worst, just to be ready for the best.

There are a number of Scriptural illustrations of a PRE-Tribulational Rapture. For example, we could look at Enoch and Noah--one raptured, the other preserved through the judgment of God and emerging to a new world order. We could consider the story of Lot--removed from Sodom before God's judgment could fall (Genesis 19:22). Rahab, the converted harlot, was spirited out of her house on Jericho's wall before the city's destruction--Joshua 6:22,23. We see Daniel, conspicuous by His absence as the three HEBREWS went through the fire kindled by a forerunner of the Antichrist.
We must never lose sight of the fact that our Lord is returning. Despite the words of many doubters and detractors (2 Peter 3:4), His promise is sure! Only the longsuffering grace of God prevents the dawning of that day (2 Peter 3:9), but one day Christ will come! In the meantime, you and I who are Christ's must be busy doing the will of God--getting others ready by preaching the Gospel to every creature.

David Cloud, Way of Life Literature, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277