Fighting the Myth of Pre Tribulation Rapture
Copyright 2009 Michael Frederick
As a Christian, you may be waiting for the so called ‘rapture’; it wears many different clothes, depending on what version of the story you choose to believe. However, if you think as a believer in Christ you are going to escape the suffering of the great Tribulation, I’ll give you at least 10 reasons to think again.
Christians will be present during the time of Jacob’s Trouble (Tribulation). That’s why it is called the time of (great or) Jacob’s trouble (Tribulation) in the first place; Israel, Jacob, is caught right in the middle of this final earthly battle between good and evil!
Satan has always worked aggressively against our salvation; he and his angels make war against those who love HaShem (Revelation 12:17; Job 1:6-7; Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 4:10). If it proves untrue, the idea of pre-tribulation rapture could cause many Christians to fall away from their faith in HaShem just when they are nearing the end of their race and about to receive the prize (eternal life).
Mat 24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
The Bible teaches us to stand firm for HaShem and Christ Yeshua no matter the consequences (Genesis 22:12; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 26:39-42). Beware! The devil twists Scripture against us.
I’m afraid that the faithful will be here refusing to take the mark of the beast during the Great Tribulation. Daniel 7:21 talks about the horn making war against the saints and prevailing against them; the beast (world kingdom of China – Russia or the pale horse) in Revelation 13:7 “It was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.”
How can the beast make war against the saints and prevail against them if they have already been raptured?
Revelation 7:14 says those dressed in white robes have come out of the Great Tribulation; they washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
They washed their robes in the blood of the lamb by resisting the Antichrist and the world empire of the beast and by refusing to take the sub dermal microchip in the hand or forehead in order to by or sell, by REFUSING to worship the beast or receive the VeriChip, the mark (Revelation 13:17; !
(Rev 14:9) Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand,
(Rev 14:10) he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.
(Rev 14:11) The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.
(Rev 14:12) Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Rev 14:13) I heard the voice from heaven saying, Write, ?Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them
So, we must have great faith; we must trust Christ Yeshua (Jesus) and trust HaShem (G_d) as little children, knowing that our real LIFE is hidden away with Christ in heaven (Colossians 3:3); even if we apparently die, not a hair on our heads will be harmed (Luke 21:18)! How can this be? With men it is difficult to understand; with God, ALL things are possible!
It requires the Spirit of Christ in the believer to understand what the latter day prophecies mean. Notice that the words Yahweh spoke concerned Israel and Judah in the latter days (Jeremiah 30:24; Daniel 12:10). If they have been ‘raptured’, why are Israel and Judah trembling (Jeremiah 30:4-6)? The time of Jacob’s Trouble is said to be like no other (Jeremiah 30:7). Michael, Israel’s prince, stands up (as a being of flesh) to speak for the children of Israel (happening now).
Dan 12:1 “At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble (Tribulation), such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.
What is the timing of the great Tribulation? The Book of Jeremiah says it follows the return of the Jews to Israel (Jeremiah 30:3). Jesus also testified that the generation that witnesses the fig tree (nation of Israel) putting forth its tender new shoots would not die out before all the End Times events of the Tribulation happened (Mark 13:28-30).
Jer 30:3 For, behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will turn again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, says Yahweh; and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. (Began in 1948 and continues)
Jer 30:4 These are the words that Yahweh spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
Jer 30:5 For thus says Yahweh: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
Jer 30:6 Ask now, and see whether a man does travail with child: why do I see every man with his hands on his waist, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Jer 30:8 It shall come to pass in that day, says Yahweh of Armies, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and will burst your bonds; and strangers shall no more make him their bondservant;
Jer 30:9 but they shall serve Yahweh their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.
We are told not to fear, but to trust in Yahweh to save us from afar; He promises to make a full end of the nations. But we will experience that great and terrible Day, HaShem will correct us; in no way will Israel and Jacob remain unpunished! HaShem will bring events to a good end for those who trust in Him. But not before we also receive correction.
Jer 30:10 Therefore don’t you be afraid, O Jacob my servant, says Yahweh; neither be dismayed, Israel: for, behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.
Jer 30:11 For I am with you, says Yahweh, to save you: for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not make a full end of you; but I will correct you in measure, and will in no way leave you unpunished.
This concerns the latter days.
Jer 30:23 Behold, the storm of Yahweh, his wrath, has gone forth, a sweeping storm: it shall burst on the head of the wicked.
Jer 30:24 The fierce anger of Yahweh will not return, until he has executed, and until he has performed the intentions of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it.
We are told the wise (in HaShem) will understand, but none of the wicked (worldly wise) will understand.
Dan 12:9 He said, Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
Dan 12:10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall understand.
Moses is speaking to the children of Israel about tribulation in the latter days.
Deu 4:30 When you are in tribulation, and all these things have come on you, in the latter days you shall return to Yahweh your God, and listen to his voice:
Deu 4:31 for Yahweh your God is a merciful God; he will not fail you, neither destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them.
Jesus is the good Farmer who sows the seeds of the Word of God. We eat His body (the Word) and drink His blood (the Living Water, Bread of Life, Holy Spirit) flowing beneath the surface text, giving us Life in ourselves; we have the growing root of the Word in us.
We can then endure any persecution or tribulation, because Christ left His extraordinary peace with us (John 14:27). We have the untroubled heart. We trust in our Father absolutely, no matter what the senses testify, no matter how the wind and waves rage; we ignore the threats and illusions created by the ‘prince of this world’ (Satan). We trust Christ Yeshua (Jesus) as little children.
Mat 13:20 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;
Mat 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
If the saints have been raptured already, how can they be delivered up to tribulation (Matthew 24:9)? HaShem sowed good seeds, but the devil planted thorns; the two would have to grow side by side until the great Day of Judgment (Matthew 13:24-30).
Mat 24:8 But all these things are the beginning of birth pains (The believer in Christ has much more to face!).
Mat 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:10 Then many will stumble (the great apostasy or falling away), and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another.
Mat 24:11 Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray.
Mat 24:12 Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold (the great apostasy or falling away).
Mat 24:13 But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.
Mat 24:14 This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Mat 24:15 “When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, (In my next blog I will share what this event is, but know that it has already been set up!) which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Mat 24:16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Mat 24:17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house.
Mat 24:18 Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes.
Mat 24:19 But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days!
Mat 24:20 Pray that your flight will not be in the winter, nor on a Sabbath,
Mat 24:21 for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.
Mat 24:22 Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.
Look again at Matthew 24:22 and decide why (or for whom) the Tribulation is shortened? It is shortened for the saints! But again, if they are already gone, why shorten the suffering of the Tribulation for them? Notice that all three verses below are referring to the one and only great Tribulation.
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Mat 24:21 for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.
Dan 12:1 “At that time shall Michael stand up (happening at this moment), the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble (Tribulation), such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.
Christ Yeshua is speaking about the great Tribulation. Observe very carefully the ordering of events (in Matthew 24:29-31)!
- tribulation
- sun and moon darkened
- stars (Job 38:7; Revelation 1:20; Revelation 6:13; Revelation 12:4) (Rebellious cherubim who have pretended to be aliens in U.F.O.s Ezekiel 1:16) fall (shaking the powers of heaven).
- the sign of the Son of Man appears in the sky
- all the tribes mourn
- Only now does Christ Yeshua (Jesus) ‘rapture’ beleivers.
Mat 24:29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;
Mat 24:30 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Believers are not spared the Tribulation, but Christ has overcome the world, Satan, and death, so we are not going to remain dead even if we appear to die in this Adam dream (John 16:33; Romans 5:3; Romans 8:35; Romans 12:12; 1Thessalonians 3:4). We are instructed to give up our life, and to take up our cross and follow Christ Yeshua (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)!
Rev 1:9 I John, your brother and partner with you in the tribulation, Kingdom, and perseverance (patience) in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Ten refers to a period of testing or tribulation (Daniel 1:14). Notice that when facing tribulation we are not told we will be spared it, but that we should be faithful even to the point of dying for what we believe. In a similar fashion, HaShem’s people are warned not to take the mark of the beast (the Verichip or sub dermal computer chip) in the hand or the forehead, even if it means they starve because they cannot buy or sell! You will receive eternal life or the crown of life as a reward for your patience and faith!
Rev 2:10 Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful, even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death.
Rev 13:16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark (sub dermal computer chip, Verichip, lithium chip) on his right hand or on his forehead,
Rev 13:17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Rev 13:18 This calls for wisdom (Michael is given the wisdom of HaShem, and has calculated the number of the Beast 1(999), Tsar Antichrist Putin’s number). If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.
Have faith in HaShem; believe Christ Yeshua, His Messiah. Even if we do die during the Tribulation, as long as we keep our faith in Christ and refuse to worship the Antichrist or take the mark of the beast then not a hair on our head will perish!
Rev 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
As followers of Christ Yeshua, how can we expect the Antichrist and the final beastly world kingdoms to treat us?
Luk 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luk 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
As you eat His body (the Word) and drink His blood (the Spirit, Living Water, Living Bread within Scripture) each day in stillness before HaShem, pay close attention to this theme of patience and faith, even if the face of great trials or tribulation! Fantasizing about a pre-tribulation rapture (rescue) will prevent us from proper mental and material preparation to ride out the storm of the Tribulation that will engulf our world.
Rev 7:13 One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?”
Rev 7:14 I told him, “My lord, you know.”
He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood.
Rev 7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.
Rev 7:16 They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat;
Rev 7:17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
If the ones who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (sharing in the suffering of the cross of Christ!) have come out of the great Tribulation, then they could not have also been ‘raptured’ pre tribulation!
The patience and faith of the saints is the perfect trust that those who take up the sword perish by the sword (Matthew 26:52-53). So it was in perfect knowledge and faith that Christ Yeshua set this example for us as He was led off to the cross (John 14:1-6). Those who lead others into captivity will themselves be taken captive and rise up to eternal condemnation by the Great Judge of all (Daniel 12:2). But we who keep our faith to the end will rise, not to condemnation, but to eternal Life, blessings, fellowship, light, peace, and joy (Revelation 7:14; Revelation 21:4).
The old order of things (slavery to fear, lusts) is passing away! Trust HaShem. Christ Yeshua has a plan. The Lord does all things well.
Rev 13:9 If any man has an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Peace only in Christ Yeshua (Jesus)
Love,
Michael
