The timing of the rapture is clearly revealed in scripture, yet most end-times experts miss it because of pre-conceived notions and tradition. Unlock the scriptures to reveal the beauty of this amazing event awaiting us.
The Rapture Controversy
To be honest with you, I was very reluctant to start an end-times blog. Back in 2017 I spent a year digging through the Book of Revelation and tying its events to other prophetic scriptures. My goal was to find two or three witnesses for every event to understand its meaning. But in my research on the rapture I found so much controversy, so much strife between the pre-tribulation and post-tribulation camps.
Both arguments had merit but, most of the evidence was in the periphery. That is, based on inferences from scripture rather than on rapture language itself. Because of this you can find scriptures that support both of the theories but also theories that contradict them. Therefore, neither of these theories can be correct.
So we need to ask ourselves, “why would the most significant event in Christian history since the resurrection not be clearly shown in scripture?”
The answer is, “it is”.
Establishing the Timing of the Great Tribulation in Scripture
First, let’s review the truths we established in the prior post, Six Seals Revealed in the Olivet Discourse.
- The signs in the Olivet Discourse describe the same events as the six seals in Revelation
- The first five signs/seals are before the start of the Great Tribulation
- The first five signs/seals are signs, not judgement, not wrath
- The sixth sign/seal occurs immediately after the start of the Great Tribulation
We know from the Olivet Discourse that the Great Tribulation starts just before the sixth seal. Here are the sequence of events:
- The first five signs/seal occur – Matthew 24:4-9, Revelation 6:1-11
- The “abomination of desolation” occurs – Matthew 24:15 “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation [Daniel 9:27] which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…”
- The Great Tribulation begins – Matthew 24:21 “For then there will be a great tribulation,…”
- The sixth sign/seal occurs – Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
What We Can Determine about the Great Tribulation
From these points, we can determine several things:
- The Great Tribulation starts at the time the Abomination of Desolation
- The Great Tribulation lasts 3 1/2 years
- Daniel 9:27 – He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.
- Daniel 7:25 – …The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.
- Revelation 13:5 – …and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.
- The sixth sign/seal is broken immediately after the Great Tribulation begins
Note that pre-tribulation theory ascertains that the Great Tribulation lasts seven years. However, I will address this in the next post rather than distract us from our purpose. Because what is most relevant is the timing of the events Jesus communicates in the Olivet Discourse and John in the Book of Revelation. Placing definitions and theories aside, this sequence over events cannot be rationally disputed.
See my post Compiling the End-Times Prophecy Roadmap for a more detailed timeline.
The Sixth Sign/Seal Ushers in the Rapture
Next, let’s look at what occurs immediately after Jesus breaks the sixth seal.
See the parallels between Matthew, Luke and Revelation? Notice the similar language colored in each scripture. Clearly these scriptures are describing the same event.
However, there is one main difference – Matthew (and Mark) mentions the gathering of the elect, Revelation mentions the sealing of the bond servants and Luke instructs us to lift our heads because our redemption is near. It appears that multiple things may be occurring at the same time.
I added 1 Thessalonians above because Paul is a third witness to the scene experience described by Jesus and seen by John. As you can see, Paul describes the rapture using much of the same language. What is interesting is even pre-trib and post-trib theorists ascribe Paul’s description to the rapture.
With three witnesses to this event, can there be any doubt this event describes the rapture?
The Sequential Events in Scripture Confirm the Rapture
We can also confirm what happens in the events described above by looking at the scriptures immediately following those events. After Matthew 24 describes the gathering of the elect and Revelation 7 describes the sealing of the bond servants, the next verses in Revelation 7 immediately shows us two results of those actions:
- the announcement of the 144,000 bond servants – Rev. 7:4
- a great multitude appears in heaven – Rev. 7:9
Clearly, the announcement of the 144,000 in Revelation 7 is a result of the angels sealing the bond servants and the great multitude appearing in heaven is a result of the gathering of the elect, i.e. the rapture. This why Luke tells us to lift our heads for our impending redemption.
Picture in your head the description of the great multitude…
“a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;”
Is there any doubt that these are the elect that the angels gather “from the four winds, from one end of the sky to another?”
This is beautiful! Picture it! Drink it in! This is us! This is the exact scene you would expect to occur in heaven immediately following the rapture; countless people from around the world worshipping God.
If this isn’t clear enough, one of the elders makes it clear by telling John that, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb…” – Rev. 7:14. (Remember that these events occur after the Great Tribulation begins with the abomination of desolation.)
The Fallout from the Rapture in Scripture
What else might you expect from people immediately after the rapture? Remember what Jesus said, “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left” – Matthew 24:40-41.
These people standing together – these are friends, co-workers, even family. How do you think you will feel after being gathered by angels, but seeing friends and loved ones left behind? How will you feel knowing they are about to suffer the wrath of God? Will you feel like you could have done more? Will you feel emotionally distraught for your friends and loved ones? Do you think you will you be in tears? Yes, you absolutely will.
I had a dream recently of the rapture. But despite the excitement of rising, as I rose and saw who was missing, these were the exact thoughts and emotions that went through my mind.
But what does the elder tell us at the end of this scene? “…and God will wipe every tear from their eyes” Rev. 7:17.
The Rapture – Our Fate Before Our Eyes
If this post seems too simple to explain the timing of the rapture, that is because the answer is simple. The more complicated an explanation you need to describe an event in the Bible, the more likely you have it wrong.
To summarize, scripture is very clear as to the timing of the rapture, but many times people disregard this because of pre-conceived notions and tradition. The picture of the great multitude in heaven following the gathering of the angels is a beautiful scene. This is a scene we should all meditate on and feel the hope for a better day.