10 “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” Revelation 3:10-11 ESV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 Forit will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” NKJV
34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” ESV
34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” NLT
The Scripture above is to me conclusive. There are people who will be raptured before the tribulation. What else could “I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth” and “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass” possibly mean?
For over 40 years I have known about the controversy of the timing of the rapture. By my own study and meditation I have become convinced that the Bible teaches that there are multiple raptures / gatherings, happening pre-, mid-, and at the end-of-tribulation. Please read this post for more.
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. Acts 17:11 BSB
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB
I urge everyone to watch and pray so you can leave before the tribulation!
Jesus is coming very, very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 NKJV
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 NKJV
I highly recommend you watch this half-hour video. Melissa covers what it really means to be saved and “counted worthy to escape all these things.” She also talks about the three raptures or gatherings. I have a slightly different understanding of the 2nd and 3rd gatherings but the differences are trivial compared to the importance of the message. Besides, my understanding could be wrong compared to hers. 😉
In this video, I share a Biblical teaching that covers the TRUE, Biblical plan of salvation, what it means to be “counted worthy to escape“, and the REAL hope that remains for those who may have missed the pre-tribulation rapture. Please share this with family, friends, coworkers, anyone who will listen. Prayers that we are ALL counted worthy to escape. . . Love & Blessings, Melissa
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 NKJV
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
Many people believe that once we are raptured we will just hang around in Heaven having a great time until we return with Jesus for the battle of Armageddon. They may be right. However for many years I have felt that’s not true, at least for me. There are hints from Daniel, Psalms, Joel, and John that I might be helping with the harvest of souls during the tribulation. Plus, having read Revelation many times, it seems to me Heaven’s attention is focused on earth during the tribulation. God uses angels during the tribulation, and He might also use us in our glorified bodies. But I have never found definite Scripture to confirm these impressions.
There are two people I know of that teach about our work during the tribulation, Biblical astronomy, and more than one rapture event. One is Sabine Vlaming. Please see this post for links to Sabine’s work, and a comparison of Biblical astronomy vs astrology.
The second person has the YouTube channel Foot Lamp. I discovered this channel a couple days ago and have watched about a quarter of her videos. Many of her videos build on prior videos so ask God where you should start.
It just makes a lot of sense to me that God would use me to reach people during the tribulation. For example I used to be in the biometrics industry. Here is a page about me from 2010, courtesy of the internet archive.
I left biometrics for several reasons. First was that over time my work changed from helping people to controlling people. I just couldn’t handle using my God-given talents to strip people of their freedom. Second, I got tired of seeming to be the only person not laughing at the Mark-of-the-Beast jokes so common when I was in biometrics. (The rest of my reasons don’t matter for this post.)
I still have friends in the biometrics industry. I can easily picture myself someday soon, in my glorified body – standing a foot off the ground if I want to – saying to them, “Turns out I was right about that Mark of the Beast stuff, eh? You want to make it to heaven instead of burn in the lake of fire forever, right? Here is what you need to do, and I’ll help as I can. …“
These people knew me then, and they would see me perfected. I have no problem believing God could send me to them during the tribulation. I’d be a great witness, IMO.
We shall soon see. 😊
Mind above!
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 NKJV
Jesus is coming very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 NKJV
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
Here are two YouTube channels that believe as I do. Both of them use Scriptures I had not considered. I suggest you watch them.
Start this video at about 4:15 to skip Stan’s comments about his health. If you’re familiar with the channel it is kinda funny, but it’s fine to skip if you’re new to the channel. 😊
Of course, be sure to make up your own mind about this!
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. Acts 17:11 BSB
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB
Jesus is coming very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 NKJV
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
When I was an infant Christian I had a college friend who said he saw Scripture evidence for pre, mid, and end of tribulation raptures, so why not all three? He said that in the days before large harvesting equipment people could harvest the fields as each part became ripe. They did not have to harvest the entire field at one time. “Why wouldn’t God do the same?” he reasoned. God could reap His harvest in stages as each part of the field was ripe. Therefore he believed in the possibility of pre, mid and end of tribulation raptures.
I have read the book of Revelation 27 times this year, and I see pre, mid and end of tribulation raptures in Revelation. I may be wrong, of course, so please study, pray, and come to your own conclusions. 🙂
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. Acts 17:11 BSB
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB
The Philadelphia Church Rapture (Pre Trib)
Jesus promises the Philadelphia church an “open door” to escape the world’s hour of trial.
8 “I know your works. See, I have set before youan open door,and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.9 Indeed I will makethose of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeedI will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.10 Because you have keptMy command to persevere,I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come uponthe whole world, to test those who dwellon the earth.11 Behold,I am coming quickly!Hold fast what you have, that no one may takeyour crown.” Revelation 3:8-11 NKJV
This rapture happens immediately after the letters to the churches.
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. Revelation 4:1-2 NKJV
The Sardis Church Rapture (Mid Trib)
Most of the Sardis church has a dirty laundry problem.
“You havea few nameseven in Sardis who have notdefiled their garments; and they shall walk with Mein white, for they are worthy.” Revelation 3:4 NKJV
Note that the fifth seal martyrs are given white robes.
9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Revelation 6:9-11 NKJV
In this description of the multitude from the great tribulation, notice two things. First, the text does not say they were killed. Second, they washed the robes they already had in the blood of the Lamb!
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:9-17 NKJV
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Revelation 12:3-6 NKJV
The Earth’s Harvest Rapture (End of Trib)
Revelation 14 ends with two harvests. I believe that Jesus’ reaping is a rapture of the saved out of harms way.
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs. Revelation 14:14-20 NKJV
In Conclusion
I see multiple raptures as God’s mercy. There seem to be relatively few Christians eagerly watching and waiting for the rapture. I believe we who are groaning to be delivered from our sinful selves and this sinful world go pre-trib.
I know some Christians who do not want Jesus to come back soon – they want to experience more of the good things in this life. I think the pre-trib rapture will wake them up. Some may fall away, some may be killed for their faith, but I think most will be raptured mid-trib after they wash their robes in Jesus’ blood.
How cool will it be for the saints raptured at the end of tribulation!?!?! They basically come to heaven, and jump on horses to ride with Jesus as He comes back to earth to conquer and reign. 🙂
I pray every day to be counted worthy to catch the first bus out of here!
“Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 NKJV
Jesus is coming very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 NKJV
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
Since my July 2017 post Pre, Post and Mid-Trib Raptures? I have seen several videos where the person vigorously defends his or her rapture viewpoint and denies the others. I believe there could be several raptures. My reasoning is based on how crops were harvested in Biblical times.
The God’s Roadmap to the End video, The Rapture: Part 2 – What is the First Resurrection? goes into much more detail on Israel’s harvests than my short post. It’s an hour and 36 minutes long, but well worth watching IMO. I watched it twice. 🙂
Some raptures have already happened. Take Enoch, for example.
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:24 ESV
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 ESV
Then there’s Elijah.
And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11 ESV
The two witnesses, in the future.
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. Revelation 11:12 ESV
And of course, Jesus.
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Acts 1:9 ESV
I stopped in the middle of the road to take this picture of modern-day grain harvesting.
The farmer decides when the entire field is ready to harvest. Then one or more of these acre-eating machines descend on the field, and a short time later the entire field is harvested.
If the air conditioner is working, modern wheat harvesting isn’t that bad a job.
The first one I operated wasn’t nearly as nice. Sitting sweating in the hot sun, the wind often seemed to be coming from directly behind, leaving me in a perpetual cloud of dust and chaff that itched its way everywhere on my body.
Harvesting a field was different in Bible times. They didn’t have huge, mechanized harvesting equipment. If one part of a field was ready to harvest, but the rest was still green, they would harvest the part that was ready. As the rest of field ripened they would harvest each section when it was ready.
No air-conditioned cab.
Consider:
Grain harvesting in Bible times was more “just in time” than in modern times. Grain was harvested as it became ready.
Pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation people all appear to be able to interpret Bible verses to support their position. I really don’t disagree with anything I have read.
The Bible record: Enoch, Elijah, Jesus, the two witnesses. These are “just in time” raptures.
I am of the opinion there may be multiple raptures of the church, as each part of the field is ready for harvest. Pre, post and mid-tribbers may all be right. Of course, I could be wrong.
I’m planning to be on the first bus out, whenever it shows up. 🙂
Lift Up Your Eyes! 