QB34 Unravelling the Rapture (Part 5)

Paul writes clearly in 1 Thess 4:13-18 that the rapture does not occur before the resurrection, and that the resurrection happens when Christ returns. Here’s verses 16,17 again: 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

This has given us some vital chronological markers in putting together a framework that we shall build upon later. The point I made last time, is that the resurrection and rapture are tied into the coming of the Lord and we asked if there was a way to peg this ‘coming of the Lord’ that Paul writes of in 1 Thess 4 to another event that would position it securely on our timeline? Now the reason this is important is because of disputes over another suggested secret coming and rapture before the day of the Lord’s arrival on full display. That’s why I’m asking the question: can we peg the Lord’s coming that Paul teaches, with any other event which is not disputed? If yes, then we can be confident knowing when the resurrection and rapture take place on our timeline. To find another event that relates to Paul’s coming of the Lord, let’s look at what he writes later in his second letter to the Thessalonians 2:1-5 NKJV 1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for [that Day will not come] unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

On a simple, first glance, reading of this text, Paul puts the matter of the day of the Lord (or Christ as it is here) in no uncertain terms. He makes an unequivocal, indisputable statement saying that the day of Christ will not come until two things happen: First, there will be a falling away, other translations give ‘the great rebellion’ or ‘the apostasy’, then secondly, the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (or man of lawlessness) who exalts himself above God, will sit as God in the temple. Jesus and Daniel both referred to this heinous act as the abomination of desolation. To summarise then, Paul is saying that the day of the Lord, will not happen until after the abomination of desolation in the temple, when the son of perdition is revealed. There is little doubt, when this happens that we are in the Great Tribulation. Therefore, the resurrection and subsequent rapture will not happen until after this point. This would appear to shatter the pre-trib viewpoint once and for all. Paul says in no uncertain terms, ‘concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him’ this will not happen until after the apostasy and the revealing of the son of perdition. However, the pre-trib view does not dispute that the day of the Lord described here will not be as Paul taught, but the point of contention is that when Paul writes in v1 ‘Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him’, he lists the ‘coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’ as separate to ‘our gathering together to Him’, implying that they are two separate events, and the gathering together happens at another coming before this one. However, I believe this point is not sustainable and here’s why. In the same chapter verse 5, when Paul writes “when I was with you I told you these things”, he refers to things he had already taught them. Now we know from his first letter what he taught. We learnt in Quick Bite 33 that Paul explicitly teaches the ‘coming of the Lord’ and ‘our gathering together’ are not two separate events, but happen simultaneously, they are not separated by time. Therefore, when Paul teaches in 2 Thess 2 the timing of the day of Christ is after the apostasy and the abomination of desolation, he is including the resurrection and rapture.

Did you enjoy this article?

Why not help us to spread the word and use the facebook or other social sharing links below. We'd really appreciate it, thanks!


Other Posts in 'Quick Bites'

May be an image of text that says "God is Love nOM "To know such love is our greatest reward for there lies the home our restless heart seeks.""

QB86 God is Love

6 Nov 2023
“(16) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in...

May be an image of text that says "The Day of Û the Lord is key to Understanding the Middle East"

QB85 Why the Day of the Lord is Key to Understanding the Middle East (Part 2)

4 Nov 2023
“(9) Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, (10) Declaring the end...

May be an image of text that says "The Day of the LORD and the Middle East"

QB84 Why the Day of the Lord is Key to Understanding the Middle East (Part 1)

1 Nov 2023
“(9) Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, (10) Declaring the end...

May be an image of heart and text that says "There is a glory only attainable in the Bridal desert, preparation that can come no other way. Not amongst the cacophony If religious voices but by embracing the solítude hiddenness. Not Nottobe to be alone, but to be alone with Him. আমই"

QB83 The Bride in the Wilderness (Part 1)

30 Oct 2023
In the last Quick Bite (QB82), the Wedding at Cana, I brought attention to the first time the Lord’s glory was revealed. But what’s really interesting to note is...

No photo description available.

QB82 The Wedding at Cana

27 Oct 2023
And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the...

May be an image of 1 person and text that says "The Rapture of the Bride (Part 3)"

QB81 The Rapture of the Bride (Part 3)

24 Oct 2023
Last time we explored the parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) and discovered the Wedding of the Lamb arranged for Israel was not cancelled but extended to include...

May be an image of 1 person and text that says "The Rapture of the Bride (Part 2)"

QB80 The Rapture of the Bride (Part 2)

23 Oct 2023
Previously I shared there can be no wedding before the resurrection because to become “one flesh” with our Bridegroom first requires our lowly bodies to be transformed to be...

May be an image of 1 person and text that says "The Rapture of the Bride (Part 1)"

QB79 The Rapture of the Bride (Part 1)

20 Oct 2023
As we see the escalation of tumult, depravity, suffering and destabilisation across the world I feel it is time to talk once more about the rapture from a bridal...

May be an image of 1 person, flower and wedding

QB78 Contending For the Birthright of a Nation

10 Oct 2023
When looking at spiritual warfare from a Bridal perspective the picture is indeed most glorious for it is no less than contending for the birthright of a nation. You...

May be an image of 1 person and text that says "The place of overcoming begins with being still"

QB77 The Warrior Bride (Part 3)

9 Oct 2023
Partnering with Heaven’s Armies through the Posture of Peace Probably the last thing we think about when considering spiritual warfare is not the recital of scripture, or the vocalising...

Looking for something? Try the search facility

About the author: Mike Pike

Live with my wife Jo in Cornwall UK, together we have raised five children and have served the Lord for over thirty years within the UK and in many other nations. My passion is for the coming of Jesus the Bridegroom King, and I long to see the Bride call upon Him to come.

CONTACT US


GET CONNECTED

Join our Facebook Group and become part of this growing movement around the world. On the group you'll join the Call2Come family and have the opportunity to participate and discuss various topics and teaching. Being part of the Call2Come family on the Facebook group includes

  • Regular updates and teaching
  • Meet others with a passion for the Lord's return
  • Grow in your own Bridal journey towards the Bridegroom
  • Latest news and developments

CONNECT WITH US

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

SUBSCRIBE

If you want to receive our newsletter, simply provide your email in the box below. You will then be sent a confirmation email immediately which you need to respond to. Thank you!