Common teachings about the rapture: What is commonly taught about the rapture or resurrection when Jesus returns, is that Jesus will return and pick up the good people in a single "rapture," taking both the dead and those who are alive and remain. Then he takes us off to a new heaven and new earth for all eternity leaving the bad people behind to burn in hell. Another version that is being taught is where we will be caught up with Jesus to reign with him for 1000 years in heaven, only then to return back to earth after the millennium is over.
While most followers tend to believe in a rapture, or a single resurrection event, they have very different views as to when this will take place. Some say there will be a pre-tribulation rapture, while some say a mid tribulation rapture, and yet another group claims there will be a post-tribulation rapture. What is interesting about these different version's, is that they are all somewhat correct, but only because each has recognized three different time lines. Placing them together is where the fault lies in those theories.
Regardless what you have heard or are hearing on this issue, it's important to understand what is scriptural and what is not. Also, another problem with the single event rapture theory, is that all raptures or resurrections are post-tribulation anyway. The big failing factor is because most people have been mislead and do not have the tribulation time period right. After all, if you don't know what the tribulation is, then how can you know when it is. So how can you or anyone justify any type of rapture related to it?
The foundation of Traditional teachings: The traditional way of thinking what will happen when Jesus returns is in the bible, and is found in two of the four Gospels. Jesus said when he returns he would take one and leave the other.
Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Mat 24:40-41 |
I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left. Luke 17:34-36 |
With it saying that Jesus will return and perform such a feat, it appears that this will take place at one time. Then when you add other scriptures that suggest one event, it makes it also seem like that there will be only one rapture.
And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mat 24:31 |
Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn. Mat 13:30 |
If all you do is study the four Gospels, then your knowledge of prophesied events is going to be limited and incomplete. Therefore, you need to look at other scriptures, what they say, and when it says things will happen in order to understand various subjects. The Rapture, or Resurrection, is such a subject.
Now it's time for you to learn about the seven resurrections.
The correct version: You're about to learn something the majority of people don't know when the second coming of Jesus happens, and it is very contradictory to what has been taught by scholars, preachers, teachers and evangelists. It is the fact that the bible clearly shows there are seven resurrections and not just one. Two have happened already, and five are yet to come; three when Jesus returns and two more after the millennium. Of the two that have already happened, the first was the resurrection of Jesus, and the other was the resurrection of those who came up out of their graves and went into the city shortly after that.
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, Rev 1:5 |
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Mat 27:51 - 53 |
The first resurrection of the dead was Jesus. As we all know, this is common teaching and found in many places in the bible. In revelation, John was told specifically that Jesus was the first of the dead, so this helps us identify the sequence of those that will follow.
When Jesus rose from his grave, his body was no where to be found because he was raised back to who he was when he died, same body, same mind, that's what a resurrection is. Contrary to what many want you to believe, Jesus is not in a spiritual body now and will never be back in one ever again. That is the sacrifice he made so that we could physically see the mediator between us (mankind) and God. Jesus was the first to be born from being dead and raised to eternal life in a human body. This is the whole point in him coming down and then having a resurrection.
The tomb gives the evidence needed to support the rise of Jesus back into flesh because it was empty of his body when Mary and the apostles came to see what had happened. The body of Jesus was gone because he had been resurrected back into a physical being, had Jesus been resurrected to a spirit, his physical body would have remained in the tomb.
But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Mat 28:5 - 6 |
Later on in the bible, we find there was another resurrection period where many people were seen coming up out of their graves. They went into the city and were seen by the people who lived there.
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Mat 27:51 - 53 |
The timing of this event can be seen with the words "after His Resurrection." This means that they did not rise from their graves until after Jesus did, which now places them as the second who were resurrected from their graves. Since there were many of them, they can be placed in a group as it appears all the graves opened up at once.
The reason for the graves to be opened was to show the people that their bodies were no longer in the ground. They had become like Jesus and raised to eternal life and are now a living human being once again. The question then becomes one of twofold: who were they and where are they now?
The answer to this can be found in the book of Revelation.
These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Rev 14:4 |
These people are of course the 144,000. Being a first fruit goes like this, it means you are the first of your kind. Since they are the first of their kind to God and to Jesus, it means there's a connection to both God and to Jesus that they have in common.
The commonality they share with God is that they all came out of the 12 tribes of Israel. God has set up this nation to be the one where all prophesies will take place and prove him to be God of all gods. The commonality with Jesus is that Jesus is over all resurrections. He is the water, which is interpreted as life. Only he can approve who will be resurrected.
But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14 |
Thus the common link between God and Jesus, making the 144,000 the first fruits to both of them. What this does is explain who the ones were that came up out of their graves shortly after Jesus rose from the dead. They were the first of the human race to be resurrected. Jesus was born a man, but he lived in heaven before he came here as a spiritual son of God. He was not from earth and never proclaimed to be, unlike the 144,000 who originated here on earth and had no previous life.
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. John 8:23 |
The next two resurrections can be found written by Paul.
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. 1 Th 4:16 |
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Th 4:17 |
While many people refer to this as one event, it is clearly broken into two segments, the dead who will rise, and those who are alive and remain.
The raising of the dead speaks for itself. The graves of the dead people will open up just like the graves of Jesus and the 144,000. It won't be a secret and the whole world will know about it. Then, at some point in time, "those who are live and remain" will be next. The important thing to understand is that the graves will open, and the boddies of these people will not be present.
Next will be those who are still alive and remain, but the timing of that group is a bit of a mystery. It's possible it may follow immediately after the dead are taken up, but it doesn't seem likely that is what God has planned. The reason for this is because Jesus told us when the resurrections will take place, and it seems it won't happen until bad things happen to earth.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mat 24:29-30 |
With these three verses, we can see that no rapture or resurrection will take place until the tribulation period is over. That means it's after bad things begin to happen to earth, like the sun going dark, and not before. Keep in mind, knowing when the tribulation period is, is just as important as knowing anything else about the bible, especially the rapture. The 144,000 were resurrected when Jesus was still here, and the tribulation had not yet begun because he was still here. The resurrections Jesus is talking about will happen after the tribulation just as he says, and not before.
The book of Revelation gives us an outline of events that will happen to earth that coincide with what Jesus just said, plus give us a time line of which people will not be allowed to die.
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Rev 7:1 |
And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. Rev 9:5 - 6 |
For five months mankind will seek death and not find it. Hard times have begun, and people will want to die so that they can be taken up like the others. But like it says, death will not be allowed. This means it is a time period of those who are "alive and remain." After this five month period, those who lived through this and held on to their faith will be taken up to meet the others in the clouds where Jesus will be waiting.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Th 4:17 |
This accounts for two of the three resurrections that will take place when Jesus returns. The other one is a little harder to find if you don't break down the events of Revelation to a time table, and that's where it gets hard, but not impossible.
We know Jesus comes back to earth after the dead and those who are alive and remain have been taken up to the clouds. When this happens, the abomination of desolation will be set up in Jerusalem and the time period for the mark of the beast should be well under way or just beginning.
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Rev 20:4 |
Now pay attention, since these people were not among the dead that rose, nor the living that were taken up, then it means there will be more people killed after those who were alive and remained were taken up, which brings the need for a third resurrection before the millennium begins so they can live with Jesus for the thousand years.
And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Rev 20:4 |
With that in mind, the bible does mention another resurrection that is difficult to place, and that is the last two witnesses. They can be taken up when the dead in Christ are called, or when those who rejected the mark of the beast are, either time since they will be dead when this happens.
Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. Rev 11:11-12 |
Notice there's no mention of Jesus, that's because he doesn't set foot on earth until chapter 14 of the Book of Revelation, and when the 1260 days are up.
These two witnesses are here during the 42 months when Satan starts his domain as God. The five months where people will seek death should be at the beginning of this time period. That leaves 37 months for them to try and convince the world to not take the mark of the beast. People will seek to harm them of course because of their power, where in the end they will kill them.
Until Jesus returns, people will die because of their faith in him. But, when he actually sets foot here at the end of the 1260 day period, there should be no one here on earth that is a friend of Jesus or God. Think about it, the chosen ones who were dead are gone, the chosen ones who were alive and remained are gone. The percentage of people who belong to God is down to the mere remnant and they will be killed for not taking the mark of the beast.
Now, here's something to notice. The time period for the mark of the beast appears to be after Jesus returns.
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, Rev 14:9-10 |
This is written in chapter 14 after Jesus has returned to earth, thus we have the actual time period when it will take place. After the two witnesses have died, there will be a very short period between their death and the return of Jesus to earth. Jesus should be here, but not yet on earth.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Mark 13:26 |
The clouds may come, but he will not be on earth until later. We ascend to heaven during the resurrection stage we are in, whether we are dead or alive, and meet up with Jesus. He will then leave the clouds and come to earth to finish prophecy.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor 15:51-52 |
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Rev 10:7 |
The seventh trump, also called the last trump, gives us a time line for the resurrections. But notice that is says "in the days," this means that it could take months before this time period is over, maybe even years. So the resurrections will not take place until the seventh trump, and in case you didn't notice, many devastating things happen to earth first.
The apostle John, and the other witness will also be a sign.
And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. Rev 10:11 |
No one knew that John was suppose to prophecy again before Jesus returns. Therefore, the apostle Paul didn't know about a third resurrection, he only knew of two of them and so that was all he could tell us.
One of the things he did tell us was they would happen at the seventh trump, therefore we know two of these will happen then, the dead and those who are alive and remain.
The seventh trump doesn't blow until the five month period is over, therefore, we know the alive will be taken after that time frame. That leaves the two witnesses and those who reject the mark of the beast. Now read this again and pay attention:
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, Rev 10:7 |
The sounding of the seventh trump is not a short blast, instead it will go on for at least three and a half years until Jesus returns, where at the end of it all the kingdoms of this world become his.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Rev 11:15 |
Chapter 10 and chapter 11 in Revelation work close in hand to each other describing events. He we saw the kingdoms of earth become the kingdoms of Jesus, but just before that we see a huge repentance of those who were called the "remnant." That means the dead are gone and so are the ones who were alive and remained.
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Rev 11:13 |
The remnant are those who were not among the dead who rose or the ones who were alive and remained. This means they are left behind to face Satan and because they feared God, they will be among those who will beheaded.
In this next verse you will see a transformation from soul to being raised and placed back into a body. Notice the term souls is used at the beginning of this verse, where it later says they lived and reigned with Christ for the millennium.
This means their resurrection comes later, after the dead and after those who were alive and remained. This confirms there will be three different resurrections before the millennium starts
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Rev 20:4 |
Adding them up so far, it makes 5.
After the millennium, we see what will be the sixth resurrection very clearly.
But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. Rev 20:4 |
This resurrection of the rest of the dead will take place just as it says, after the millennium. These people will be the ones who are not specifically chosen and will have to prove themselves. Only half of the population will be in the rapture stages when Jesus returns, so there will be literally billions of people brought back to life after the millennium.
Notice how Jesus tells us there will be a 50% limit on those who are in the resurrections before the millennium. He does it through reference.
Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Mat 24:40-41 |
I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left. Luke 17:34-36 |
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Mat 25:1 - 2 |
And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. And Jesus said to him, [one of them] "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:33 and 43 |
What this does, is tell us that 50% of the world population since the time of Jesus will be saved and brought back to life for the millennium. That means that only half of the graves of the world will be opened up when the dead rise first and about half of the population who alive and remain will be taken up, minus those who will be facing the mark of the beast. The other 50% of the worlds population will be raised after the millennium and will then be given another chance at salvation.
And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. Mat 24:20 |
Another misconception that has hurt the knowledge of the bible is the saying that salvation is only happening now, this is not so. Your flight is the time of your salvation. In this case, winter is the time immediately after the millennium, and the Sabbath is of course the Day of Judgment. This next verse shows the seventh resurrection planned for the Day of Judgment:
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Rev 20:13 |
In order for someone to be delivered up for judgment they will have to be brought back to life. This reasoning is two fold, one for judgement, and the other to offer salvation once more.
Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Mat 7:22-23 |
As you can tell, there are seven resurrection stages mentioned in the bible. Therefore, what has been taught about one huge rapture or resurrection, however you want to look at it, is completely false.
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev 7:14 |
So when is the tribulation? The tribulation started when Jesus left and will end when he returns. No body escapes the tribulation period. The tribulation is merely the domain time of Satan where God has stepped back and is allowing Satan to act as God. The tribulation will be over when Jesus returns. And since the tribulation is going on now, everyone since the time of Jesus has been going through it, no exception. So there is no pre-trib rapture and no mid-trib rapture, only post-trib and post-millennium raptures will take place.
I. First offer of salvation through Jesus, from the beginning of him to preach until his return.
II. Second offer of salvation through Jesus comes next. Winter.
III. Third and final offer of salvation through Jesus. Sabbath Day.