Most of us have been taught one theory or another when it comes to the Lord's second coming, or rapture, as some prefer to call it. Is it Pre-tribulation? Is it Mid-tribulation? Or is it Post-tribulation? Does the Bible even use the term "rapture?" Many have even been taught of a secret rapture that will occur without the rest of the wicked world knowing where the Christians have gone. They are preaching a day will come when suddenly millions of Christians will be mysteriously missing. They teach the Christians will actually vanish into thin air. Truth is, if you do some checking you will find this happens to be the most common belief in the churches today.

We must also consider the seven year tribulation period that all three beliefs claim as still to come upon the world. Some believe the seven years will be an opportunity for the lost to have their last chance to see the errors of their evil ways and finally convert to Christianity. A major feat no less seeing how according to their own theories, all the "real" Christian preachers and teachers were supposedly raptured up beforehand. I ask, how does God spread His Truth now? By using Christians to share their faith and the Scriptures they already studied, right? Romans 10:14 says, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" If all those preachers are raptured up already, who is preaching?

Then there are those that believe the rapture occurs at the moment of death for every person on the planet. Almost like their own personal end time experience one by one. Before going further, my question is this. Are you a Christian? Do you believe in the Christian God? Do you believe in the Word of that Christian God? If so, then let's see what that Word says about all this...

2 Thessalonians 2:3-6 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. "

First of all, Paul's talking to Believers here when he is saying, "Let no man deceive you..." Secondly, has the man of sin been revealed? The Bible says the lost CANNOT see the truth. It is plainly written that, "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." [John 14:17] According to biblical jurisprudence, the man of sin is to be revealed to Believers ONLY. Only those that proclaim Jesus Lord, study His Word, and believe His Word can understand His Word. One of the popular theory's is, when the Christians leave the Holy Spirit goes with them. So again I ask, if there is no Holy Spirit indwelt Christians on Earth, then WHO I ask is the man of sin being revealed to? The wicked? According to the Christian bible that would be impossible.` Only those that have the Spirit of Truth can see this man of lies.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:"
Here we see the wicked one is revealed, and THEN the Lord destroys him "with the brightness of His coming." Again, many declare Jesus comes first, and then the wicked one is revealed to all. This verse alone proves they are deceived. The way this entire passage is penned proves only believers understand who the wicked one is, and did you notice, it does not mention 7 years, and it doesn't mention anything about it being a "secret" when Jesus returns to destroy the wicked. A little later on I will be sharing Bible verses that prove it can in no way be a "secret" rapture. They are quite blunt in fact. So blunt you will never hear of them on pulpits that declare a 7 year tribulation or secret rapture because in so doing it would expose them as false teachers.

As we continue on from verse 8 that speaks of the Lord returning, the Word of God continues on in topic regarding "even him" (Jesus) who is coming soon...

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."
Here we see the Word declaring that directly after the "working of Satan" the Lord will arrive on the planet. This has to be my favorite passage on this topic. This is again one of the passages you will never see proclaimed on pulpits that preach a 3 or 7 year pre tribulation Rapture. All across Christendom it is proclaimed that Christians leave before the "signs and lying wonders" of Satan. But here it is plainly stated that Jesus is coming "after the working of Satan."

This SEVEN YEAR RAPTURE THEORY is found absolutely nowhere in the Scriptures. Furthermore, imagine just what this seven year tribulation period would entail if it were true. This would literally mean "SEVEN YEARS OF PARTIES" for all the sinners that were left behind on the Earth! Think of it. According to their own sermons on this topic, there are no Christians are on the planet after the "secret rapture" telling the wicked souls left behind to straighten up and fly right before Jesus comes back. No one is warning them of their evil ways! No one is even to be found anywhere in the entire world praying for them!

Have you ever gone into a bar to preach Jesus Christ to drunkards? Have you ever gone into a porn theatre to stand before the people to preach? Most will agree that preachers are not welcome there. The people go there to be able to revel in sin. If there are no Christians on earth do you think the wicked are going to become all depressed looking for help and Jesus? Or would they be even more apt to party hardy?

Now I know that this pre-trib theory also says that during this seven years the world will experience intense tribulation like never before. Some believe this is supposed to get the wicked to "think" about their sin and open bibles and become saved. Common sense affords us the reality that if they didn't have "discernment" beforehand, what makes them think they will have it now? Discernment is that which comes from years of walking with Christ. If they are correct in their assumptions, they must also admit they stated the Holy Spirit is off the planet. Who is it that cuts the heart of the people to seek out Christ? If there is no "Holy Spirit" on the Planet prodding them towards truth, they are going to be much happier the Christians are gone because now they won't be bothered by their guilt laden sermons. Besides, have you have ever known anyone that has been so deeply into the sin of alcohol? I've watched people consciously kill themselves for years by using this satanic drink. They literally clamor after the drink even though they have rock solid evidence it's killing them. The open sores all over their bodies when their liver shuts down, the coughing up of blood due to massive ulcers in their gut, the convulsive shaking each morning before they drink, the loss of teeth and permanently dimmed eyes prove that rough tribulation would in no way slow down this persons desire to party on. So using the "tribulation" as a catalyst to get them to Christ is just plain impossible, and quite outside the realm of reality. Truth is, all this secret rapture theory is, is an hellish trick of the Devil played on the deceived to get them to think that they would have a second chance at salvation once they see with their own eyes the mysterious disappearance of millions of Christians around the world. However, reality proves it's actually bringing to mind a world wide orgy of sin and decadence for all those that prefer not to repent. Kind of like a reward for all the lucky sinners that were fortunate enough to be left behind.

It's amazing to me how common sense rules this one out with ease. Seriously! Think about this. Let's say there is a man that has been in sin his entire life. So much so that he is homeless and living in skid row. I used to frequent the missionaries near Chicago when I lived up there years ago. In order for a man to get a free meal in these missions you had to sit through a 20 minute sermon before eating. Now think about a man that has been living on skid row 40 years. Three times a day he eats at these missions. And three times a day he listens to a preacher before eating. This is of course not counting the young preacher wanna-be's that minister unto him daily. So, that would equate to him hearing and ignoring well over 43,680 SERMONS. Now, according to the pre-trib theorists, all real Christians have been raptured up. Now, suddenly this man that lived on skid row BELIEVES what he has denied for 40 years of thrice daily hearing sermons? And to top it off he does so without the help of a preacher directing him to the Word of God? Keep in mind according to the pre-trib theorists he must also come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ without the help of the Holy Spirit.

So, let's look to the Word of God in a little more depth to see if any of these "secret" or "pre-trib" rapture theories hold up to Biblical jurisprudence. Fact remains, if we want to understand prophecy we must keep our own definitions out of the mix entirely! For 2 Peter 1:20 plainly teaches us that no prophecy is of any private interpretation. Plus, if we are to understand any Biblical truth and or doctrine, are we not counseled in the Word that "precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" (Isaiah 28:10). With that in mind, let us look a little deeper into His Word to see the Truth on this.

Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
I Peter 5:4 "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
If Jesus was planning on coming in SECRET as many preach, He would not "appear" at all. Plus we would not be able to "look for Him" as the Word of God plainly illustrates we will be doing on that day. For is He is in secret, He won't appear, and we won't be able to see Him.

II Peter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."
Here we see the Word of God declaring the day of the Lord will not only come unexpectedly, it will come with a GREAT NOISE! Does that sound like a secret? How is it possible to hide the fact that the earth, it's elements, and all the "works" of man upon the earth are burned up on that day? Even if millions of Christians vanish into thin air as some preach, the convulsing and burning planet as well as the great noise all this is going to make will no doubt enlighten the wicked that something biblical is happening, wouldn't you think? How do you destroy the earth and all it's cities without the wicked knowing it?

II Peter 3:11-14 "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."
This passage also places our Lord's arrival and the Earth's destruction at the exact same time. Plus, we see that we are to be "Looking for" the day of God as well! Yes, the context of this passage suggests we look for His arrival in the same way one may be looking for their lot in life. You don't actually see anything, you merely know it's coming. This is why Christians are moved by the Spirit to study prophecy. In so doing the Word confirms that these Christians "...are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." (1 Thessalonians 5:4) Since we learned earlier that the wicked cannot see the signs of the coming of the Lord because they simply don't believe, or study His Word let alone prophecy, who I ask is Peter saying is to "LOOK" for a new Heavens and a new earth?

So.. who is lying? The Bible? Or the Preachers? Romans 3:3-4 says, "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

Luke 17:22 -27 "And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Just like in Noah's time? Did Jesus lie when He said..."So shall it be..."? Don't these verses seem a bit obvious? The ones in the ark were saved. The ones that decided to ignore the warnings of Noah regarding the historically proven world wide flood were destroyed. And they were destroyed UNEXPECTEDLY! For it says they "did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark.."

Also notice it speaks of "...lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven" in that passage. I understand that even a blind man can see the light emanating from lightning. This passage is speaking of the brightest natural occurrence of light on planet earth shining from one end of the earth to the other on that day. How I ask can that be done in secret?

Noah and his family believed that God was about to do something extremely graphic and globally for all the world to witness as a testimony against their sin. However the rest of the ENTIRE PLANET decided to take their chances and ignore "the nut building the big boat on dry land," in the hopes that maybe he was just some religious fanatic. I am sure that Noah, "...a preacher of righteousness," according to 2 Peter 2:5, had plenty of opportunities over the course of the 120 years of building the ark to convince some that he wasn't nuts by his method of preaching. But just like today's world, the people of Noah's day may have echoed the same "dried out" comeback... "I've heard preachers say the end is near for many years!" Does that statement make it all go away? Some I think do believe that if they ignore the Scriptures hard enough, it will all go away. This attitude reminds me of a frightened little boy afraid of some noise in the dark. He hides himself under the covers to make it all go away. Or an ostrich hiding it's head in the sand to escape danger. The noise or the danger is still very present no matter how much the little boy or the ostrich ignores it. We all know the truth whether we admit it or not... It will not go away! Now for another of my favorite passages on this subject.

Luke 17:28,29 "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. "
"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot?"... Let me ask you this... If Jesus was planning on waiting seven years to return to get His Saints, why would He tell us His return would be as it was in the days of Lot? Why would Jesus compare an event in Genesis chapter 19 that shows Lot being led out of the city to safety, and then the city is destroyed, that very same day? Think about it... Jesus has just compared His second coming with two events in Biblical history in which both events show people being saved from certain destruction, and people being certainly destroyed together on the same day. Both Noah and Lot witnessed with their very eyes people being destroyed and being spared the exact same day. Jesus purposely used those two historic events side by side in the book of Luke for a reason. Truth here is, the pre-tribulation preachers are bluntly stating Jesus lied when they preach a 7 year time span between both events. Is it any wonder some of them choose not to mention this passage "in context" from their pulpits as they preach their secret rapture and 7 year trib false prophecies? Common sense, it proves they are lying, so they omit these passages from all their sermons.

Let's take a look at one more BLUNT reality made plain in the Word regarding this "same day" occurrence.

Luke 17:30-36 "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
Are you curious as to WHERE they are left? I was when I studied this up many years ago. As a matter of fact, the Apostles were also curious as is obvious by the next verse...

Luke 17:37 "And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. "
Notice the STRONG'S Translation of that word "EAGLE."

#105 aetos {ah-et-os'} from the same as 109;; n m

AV - eagle 4; 4

1) an eagle: since eagles do not usually go in quest of carrion,
this may be a vulture that resembles an eagle

The definition of the word "carrion" = "Dead and decaying flesh." Eagles eat LIVE things. So the better translation of this passage is to state it is VULTURES that is gathering where the "body" is.

Let me ask you this... Have you ever seen vultures gather around people lying on a beach? How about vultures circling overhead while people tan themselves on their balconies? Are there vulture hovering over people going to work? Getting married? Working in fields? No I can confidently say, you have not seen such things. We all know that a vulture prefers the fairly ripe flesh of a corpse. So we see, when the Apostles asked Where, Lord? Jesus rather bluntly told them that those people that were not going to Heaven that very same day would be left behind dead. Jesus didn't say that they would be left behind to deal with seven years of tribulation like the pre-trib theory states. Nor did Jesus say that they would remain behind for three and half years like the mid-trib theory proclaims. Just like Jesus illustrated by using both Noah and Lot, He declares here they were destroyed the very same day.

Still, some get confused when seeing that passage. But it comes to a better light when you allow the BIBLE to define the prophetic symbols in it. Let's briefly look at the symbols Christ uses to describe those that go, and those that are left behind.

On the housetop are those at home
In the fields are those at work in the World
In the bed are those in the grave
The "women" are churches
The mill is the work the churches are doing
You can getl the definitions and a lot more info on the Prophectic symbols and their biblical meanings by going to me Prophetic Symbols page on the site. It is plain to see that people of all walks of life will be taken to Heaven on that day whether they are at home, at work, at church, or in the grave. The rest will be left behind as bird food. In fact, look at what Jeremiah says about that day. He gets a bit more graphic...

Jeremiah 25:30-33 "Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
Jeremiah 4:23-27, "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger. For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end."
Sounds like a very terrible day for the wicked does it not? It certainly doesn't sound like day one of a 7 year string of sin and parties does it?

The day is soon approaching when all we will see is one attack after another being realized on the child of God on a daily basis. The child of God will have to deal with false accusations of incredible crimes being levied against them. They will be brought before the authorities as common criminals, innocent only before God. Prophecy states they will again be tortured and martyred as in days past. They will witness their very own loved ones dying right before their eyes as an attempt to quench their allegiance to the Creator God of the universe. But they will stand firm in knowing that their Saviour is near at hand to wipe their tears and take them in an everlasting embrace of love. In fact, in many nations across the globe Christians are already being persecuted as we speak. I have many Newsletters sharing documented evidence that Christians are being killed all around the world for their faith today. Some of the Newsletters have pictures of Christian martyrs being killed on camera, so be forewarned, they're not easy to look at. They do this for the same reason big government shouts terrorist, global warming, or economic collapse. They hope to generate fear in the hearts of God's people so they will doubt like Peter did as he walked on the water. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, walking on stormy seas will become a regular occurrence for the church. Persecution is the norm for the Christian church because we are not of this world.

Luke 21:28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. "
As we know, Jesus is the Redeemer of the faithful. The wicked are not being persecuted let alone contemplating looking up because they don't believe He's coming back. Truth is, they aren't even seeking redemption because they don't feel they need it. So again I must ask who is Luke suggesting to have "look up" during this intense time of trial that Scripture states is a time when men's hearts will be failing them for fear directly before the Eastern sky splits?

Daniel 12:1 "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. "
If we left 7 years ago, why would the prophecy declare "thy people" will be delivered at the time Michael stands up? And how is it possible for anyone but "thy people" to be written in the "book of life?" The wicked shall not be mentioned in that book at all.

Jeremiah 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. "
Just as physical Israel was present during the plagues of their day, Noah was present during the flood of his day, and Lot was present when Sodom and Gomorrah burn in his, so shall spiritual Israel be present during the time of Jacob's trouble. Praise the Lord we shall be "saved out of it" because He already promised to "...keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Revelation 3:10) He also promised to be "...with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20) So as you can see, it will be an intense time, but our God has not forsaken us.

Many that preach the 7 year trib theory declare we shall be saved FROM this tribulation by twisting Jeremiah 30:7 as well as others out of context. Problem is, this passage says we are saved OUT of the "time of Jacob's trouble." Not FROM it! Even Christ asked His Father when he was in prayer in John 17 that we should not be "taken from the world" but kept "from the evil" in it. (See John 17:15)

Was not the Seed of Abraham present during the 10 plagues in Egypt when Pharaoh was ignoring the warnings of God through Moses? The Seed of Abraham was spared mainly because they were believers. Are we any different today? With the exception of some in the Church of Christ that are latching on to fleshly self preserving lies of the devil, and showing a complete lack of trust in a loving God, we are no different. Just as the Lord spared the Old Testament Seed of Abraham by stating He will cause the destroying angel to "pass over" the houses of the believers so the plague would not harm them, He also plans to spare us with the very same blood on the doorposts.

Exodus 12:13 "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."
Romans 5:9, "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
Psalms 91:10, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."
The Lord protected His own in the Old Testament by the blood of the lamb sacrifice, and He promises to protect us New Testament believers by the "...the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) Both sets of believers show their faith by the blood of Christ, do they not? The Old Testament believers trusted God by a show of faith by placing the blood of a lamb upon the doorposts of their houses, we have the Blood of the Lamb upon the doorposts of the heart. Also notice that in Psalms 91:10 it specifically states no plague will come near our dwellings. If we are supposed to have been raptured up before the plagues hit, why is the Word so plainly stating it doesn't come near our dwellings?

Let's look at a few more examples in the Word God that you will never hear from pulpits that embrace the 7 year tribulation, or secret rapture theory.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep."
How blunt does it have to be I ask? We are ALIVE when He returns. But still, some twist this passage to say this is during a "secret" rapture. Yet the very next verse (which they usually avoid on such pulpits) exposes that error with ease.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"
As I said earlier, most that preach the 7 year trib theory state the preceding verse has to do with a secret Rapture. Yet, this passage says the Lord will descend WITH A SHOUT! I ask, how do you shout in secret? And to further prove the error for what it is; In context, this passage easily confirms verse 15 as speaking of the same event and part of the same string of explanation being shared when it continues on saying directly after stating we are alive, that the Lord returns with a shout.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
In verse 15 it speaks of "we which are alive" and states we will not precede or prevent those "which are asleep" in the graves. How can all those graves bursting open be done in secret?

As students of the Eternal Word of God we know "being asleep" means dead in the grave. Then verse 16 says at that time the Lord will "descend with a shout." Next we see the passage speaking of those that were asleep being caught up in the clouds with the Lord and then we "shall be caught up together with them in the clouds" to be with Jesus! So I ask.. where are the 7 years? Where are the 3.5 years? as far as I can see there won't even be 3.5 nano-seconds of time between these prophecied events.

This next passage has to do with the "thief in the night" parable that I spoke of earlier. Absolutely all of the pre-trib preachers use the following passage to confirm and or validate their secret rapture theories. However, they will always do so in a deceptive manner. First off they will read to you the following passage...

1 Thessalonians 5:2, "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."
AND THEN THEY STOP!

They refuse to read further, and rightly so. For if they read further a multitude of problems arise that they are simply not prepared to deal with. For example, look at the next verse..

1 Thessalonians 5:3 "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
If they read this passage after reading the preceding verse they know they will have to explain how "sudden destruction" comes upon those that aren't ready for Christ after He comes as a "thief in the night." According to the 7 year trib theory, they would have seven years to get right with Christ. Yet the Bible says "sudden destruction" comes on them that very same day. This is why most will not read past verse 2. They can't explain it. It doesn't jive with their theories.

Think about this as well. Matthew 24:36 easily proves the 3.5 or 7 year trib theory a lie. Jesus says in that passage... "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." If the secret rapture theory was correct it would mean everyone left behind would know the exact day and hour of Christ's return. How so? Think of it.. all one needs do is calculate three and a half years forward, or seven years forward from when the millions of Christians vanished into thin air and you would get the exact day and hour that Jesus would return. Biblical jurisprudence easily exposes the secret rapture theory with that one statement Jesus made in Matthew 24:36.

Now for my favorite verse in this passage! It is so powerful it amazes even seasoned prophecy students as to how blunt it is.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."

The secret rapture preachers use the verses above this passage (verse 2) to say Jesus comes as a thief in the night for the Christians. But this verse (verse 4) proves they are not telling the truth. This verse is quite plain! It says clearly that Jesus does NOT come as a thief in the night to the true Christians. Why doesn't the Christian have to worry about Jesus coming as a thief to them? Do you recall all the verses shared earlier that spoke of the believers "looking up", or "looking for "the coming of the Lord? What does that entail? True Christians understand what Jesus meant in Matthew 24 when He instructed His followers to study Christian prophecy. Doing as Jesus suggests blesses us with the knowledge of truth needed to understand the days we live in. With that knowledge He cannot possibly come as a thief to us. We will be ready for Him because we understand the prophecied signs of the times. This is the main reason the pre-trib preachers fear the verses I just shared. They have not the understanding of prophecy and therefore cannot explain why the brethren are not in darkness that day! If you don't understand the symbols of Prophecy, you cannot explain them without using terms like "maybe... perhaps.. could be.. or possibly" in your sermons. Ever notice that? The pre-trib preachers can't be confident in their sermons because they do not have the Testimony of Jesus Christ. What is that you ask? The Testimony of Jesus Christ happens to be one of the two main fruits of an end time Christian. In Revelation 12 we read...

Revelation 12:17, "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

There are six symbols in this prophetic statement.

dragon
woman
remnant
the seed
commandment keepers
testimony of Jesus Christ
The Word of God is rather clear as to how to explain prophetic symbols. When Jesus taught the Word, He used Scripture to explain Scripture. This is how we must do it. The Bible defines itself perfectly. Please don't ever let anyone give you their opinion or interpretation of what they feel a think a prophetic symbol means. Let the Word define the Word.

DEFINITION OF SYMBOLS in Rev 12:17

dragon = satan (Revelation 12:9, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
woman = church (Jeremiah 6:2, "I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman." Also see Ephesians 5:22-35)
remnant = small portion of original (Isaiah 1:9, "Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah." Also See Zechariah 8:12, Isaiah 16:14, Jeremiah 44:28 (Also See Strong's Concordance #3062 if you must.)
the seed = the children of God (Romans 9:8 "...they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.)
commandment keepers = obvious. The elect will keep the commandments in the end time.
testimony of Jesus Christ = understanding of prophecy (Revelation 19:10, "...the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.")
The Bible plainly defines the elect as a people that keep the commandments and understands prophecy. It also declares the enemy hates us greatly because of that ability. This is the main reason our numbers are so small. Most fear the enemy and in so doing lack the faith to stand firm in Christ, and sadly our numbers are also small due to widespread persecution.

The pre-trib preachers declare Jesus comes as a thief in the night, and to get around the fact He doesn't come as a thief to those that understand prophecy, they choose to define that event as being "in secret" to further hide their inabilities to decipher the Written Word. The Bible says we as true Christians will not have Jesus coming to us a thief because we are "looking up" or "looking for" that great day, thanks to our blessed ability to understand His prophetic Word. We read our Bibles, then we read the signs of the times we live in and share what we see with those that have eyes to see. Jesus can not come unexpectedly to those that understand the signs all around them, anymore then a trucker will miss an exit on the highway after reading road signs. The pre-trib preachers are unable to "look for" this day because they have not the testimony of Jesus Christ or the Spirit of prophecy that is needed to decipher such Truths. So they can't possibly explain that passage. They know they will stumble over their tongues when trying, so they avoid it at all costs.

1 Thessalonians 5:5,6 "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
To "watch and be sober" means to study the Word, and follow the Truths that point to Christ in all things whether it be prophecy or day to day life. And again, if we are supposed to be gone during a 7 year trib, why is Paul again suggesting we "watch and be sober?"

1 Thessalonians 5:7 -10 "For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
Matthew 24:42 "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come"
To give you an idea of how many Scriptures there are that cover Christians being present during the time of Jacob's trouble, notice this list...

Psa.27.5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psa.37.39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Matt.10.17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Matt.10.18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Matt.10.19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Matt.10.20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Matt.10.21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Matt.10.22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matt 24:9-14 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Matt.24.22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Matt.24.23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Matt.24.24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matt.24.25 Behold, I have told you before.
Matt.24.26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Matt.24.27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Luke 21:28 When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh..
John.16.33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Acts.14.22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
2 Thes 2:9 "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,"
Rev.1.7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen
Rev.7.14 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.
The preachers of the world fear the coming trials and preach an escape route never spoken of in His Word. Like the Ostrich with his head in the sand, they may be able to ignore all that's happening around them, but it won't stop that which the Lord God already stated is to come.

One last thing. One major reason this lie was fabricated was to create in the hearts of billions a complacency that far outshines any in the hearts of mankind today. This secret rapture gives them all a false sense of security thinking they will escape such intense times. They are deceived into never preparing for the trials to come so that when the hour of temptation does come, they will be so caught off guard they will be forced to follow their religious leaders out of sheer fear of the unknown. They will follow their leaders because they figure they must know what to do. They have been trusting them for so many years already. Seriously, look around! Most church goers don't read Bibles as the prophet Amos predicted for this day. In today's age of convenience they believe it's the pastors job to read and study the bible and it's his job to prepare them. So they make the decision knowing that since they don't read the Bibles themselves, they have no choice but to trust their pastors. Problem is, most pastors today don't believe in the second coming of Christ. There was a poll taken by the "Pittsburgh Press" on Sept. 24th 1977, wherein it revealed that only 2% of American student ministers actually believe in the second coming of Jesus! That was way back in the 70's! These "students" are Pastors, and Teachers TODAY! As for those pastors that do believe in the second coming, they teach their flock to ignore end time prophecy because they teach they will be raptured before it happens. This rapture theory will be the last trick played on mankind this side of eternity. He has other plans for them at the end of the 1000 years of course, but that's another study.

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Now for a parable that exposes the error of the 7 year trib. Jesus Himself explains what will happen on that last day in parable format, and then He actually EXPLAINS that parable to His disciples!

JESUS EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPENS AT SECOND COMING

Matthew 13:24-30, "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed goo