COVENANT MINDED MINISTRIES

What is the Rapture

The English word "rapture" is derived from the Latin verb "Rapere" meaning "to carry off," or "to catch up."

Although the term "rapture" is not found in the Bible, the theory is firmly based on Scripture, as reflected as following:

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. (1st Thessalonians 4:15)

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. (1st Thessalonians 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. (1st Thessalonians 4:17)

In a Moment, in the Twinkling of an Eye

The Rapture will take place in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, wherein, suddenly and without warning, all believers will be removed from the face of the Earth by the LORD Himself.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—  (1st Corinthians 15:51)

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1st Corinthians 15:52)

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1st Corinthians 15:53)

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1st Corinthians 15:54)

“ O Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory?” (1st Corinthians 15:55)

Victory in Christ Jesus

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (1st Corinthians 15:56)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1st Corinthians 15:57)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1st Corinthians 15:58)

The Rapture Can Occur at Anytime

This future cataclysmic event (great upheaval that causes sudden and violent changes, destruction) can occur now at anytime, and it will be unlike any other.

Millions of people will disappear from the face of the Earth without warning, resulting in tragic and unexplained accidents.

When the Rapture occurs, people will be engaged in their normal daily and nightly activities, whether working, playing, eating, partying, fussing, fighting, stealing, killing, sleeping, and all the other things now ocurring in the world;

and some will be taken up to meet the LORD in the air, while others will simultaneously (at the same time, as one, concurrently) be left behind to face the great tribulation.

CNN and other news networks will broadcast various views of this cataclysmic event.   And being that none left behind are Christians, their views will constitute various worldly conclusions, including, but not limited to an alien invasion.

Those Left Behind from the Rapture

Some non-believers left behind having heard of the Rapture and procrastinating (putting off till another day or time; deferring; delaying) over becoming a believer will finally come to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior;

while others will remain puzzled and in shock as they continue to view the Rapture as a bizarre (strange, wild, adnormal, unusual, freakish, weird) event.

The Destruction from the Rapture

At the time of the Rapture, due to many sudden and destructive dangers, many non-believers will be killed without opportunity to repent and be saved. 

All those killed at the time of the Rapture will go to hell, where they will be tormented day and night until the resurrection of the dead for judgment before the great white throne.

The great white throne judgment occurs after Christ's millennium reign, which means that those unbelievers killed at the time of the Rapture will be tormented for 1,007 years before being judged out of the books and cast into the lake of fire.

Be mindful of this, the Rapture will come as a thief in the night, no one knowing neither the minute nor the hour.  Be ready!  If you're not ready, get ready! 

Peoples in the world will carrying on with their day-in and day-out normal activities, operating either in the faith (believers) or outside of the faith (non-believers).

Daily and nightly activities will be going on as usual, and the Rapture will come as the great flood so came in the days of Noah, unexpectantly and without warning.

The great flood caused all but eight (8) to perish.  Although there will be many more survivors in the aftermath of the Rapture, yet, many will perish during the Rapture without another opportunity to obtain salvation.  Be ready!  Don't let it be you!

Work schedules, sport schedules and a variety of other schedules will go on as usual, and people will be laughing, playing, crying, fussing, fighting, eating, partying, stealing, robbing, killing, talking on phones, watching television, movies, videos, and during all other things normally occurring during daily and nightly activities when the Rapture occurs.

There is no guarantee if you're a non-believer that you will survive the Rapture.  However, there is a guarantee if you're a believer that you're be taken up to be with the LORD and not killed.

Being a believer is the only sure means of being ready and not possibly destroyed without another opportunity to obtain salvation that is in Christ Jesus and Him alone. 

Taking the chance of being killed during the Rapture or being left behind after the Rapture is not wise. 

God has provided a way of escape; however, it's a know fact that many will not operate in the wisdom of God and will find themselves either killed or left behind; it doesn't have to be you!

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  (Joshua 24:15)

“As for you, O house of Israel,” thus says the Lord GOD: “Go, serve every one of you his idols—and hereafter—if you will not obey Me; but profane My holy name no more with your gifts and your idols. (Ezekiel 20:39)

The destruction and disasters resulting from the Rapture will be a direct result of missing Christians being taken from their operative positions (i.e. airplane and ship pilots and co-pilots, train engineers, motor vehicle operators, motorcycle operators, boat drivers, bus drivers, car and truck drivers, cooks, machine operators, ect.) at the time of the Rapture.

Immediately after the Rapture, the seven (7) year tribulation period will issue itself in as prophesized in the Scriptures.

The Seven (7) Year Tribulation Period

The Tribulation, as taught by most Bible scholars, encompasses a future seven (7) year period when God will complete his discipline of Israel and final judgment upon the unbelieving citizens of the world.

Israel's punishment would be multiplied sevenfold, therefore a seventy week exile would be expected to last for seven times seventy years, which would amount to 490 years.

Daniel 9:25, when the 62 weeks is added to the 7 weeks, it equates to 69 weeks or 483 years.  If these years are added to the date of the decree of Artaxerxes in 445 B.C., with an adjustment to allow for use of a 360-day year;

the end of the 69 weeks coincides with the date of the crucifixion of Jesus.  Daniel 9:26 states that the Messiah shall be cut off (destroyed or killed).

The fact that Jesus died not for Himself but for the sins of the world strongly supports the view that the Messiah in Daniel 9:26 refers to Jesus Himself, and the prince who is to come refers to the Antichrist.

Four hundred and ninety (490) years minus or less four hundred and eighty-three (483) years leaves Israel with seven (7) years of discipline and the unbelieving citizens of the world with seven (7) years before final judgment is bestowed upon them.

According to 2nd Chronicles 36:21, the captivity of Israel was to last long enough to make up for 70 omissions of the sabbatical year, which occurred every 7 years.

All those who escaped from the sword he (Nebuchadnezzar) carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the king of Persia (Cyrus),(2nd Chronicles 36:20)

to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years. (2nd Chronicles 36:21)

Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem the following year in 538 B.C.

Cyrus was both a mighty monarch and the instrument by whom God delivered His people from exile, returned them to their land, and rebuilt the temple of the LORD.

Cyrus was willing to include Israel's God among the gods he recognized and extolled.  The temple and the holy city laid in ruins, but God was not done yet; He brought His people back to the land and revived His promises to save and restore them.

The omissions times occurances (70x7) equates to 490 years before the Israelites (God's chosen people) would experience perfect reconciliation with their God.

And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. (Jeremiah 25:11)

Then it will come to pass, when the seventy years are completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,' says the LORD; and I will make it a perpetual desolation. (Jeremiah 25:12)

For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. (Jeremiah 29:10)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. (Jeremiah 29:12)

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. (Jeremiah 29:14)

According to the Law of Moses the land was to lie fallow every seventh (7th) year, which became known as the sabbatical year.

Judah's exile to Babylon allowed the land to enjoy the Sabbaths it had missed.

“Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, (Exodus 23:10)

but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. (Exodus 23:11)

And if you say, "What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow nor gather in our produce?" (Leviticus 25:20)

Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce enough for three years. (Leviticus 25:21)

And you shall sow in the eighth year, and eat old produce until the ninth year; until its produce comes in, you shall eat of the old harvest. (Leviticus 25:22)

in the first year of his (Darius) reign, I, Daniel, understood by the books (Scriptures) the number of years, specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolution of Jerusalem. (Daniel 9:2)

At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision: (Daniel 9:23)

“Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression,  To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. (Daniel 9:24)

“Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. (Daniel 9:25)

And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.  The end of it shall be with a flood,  And till the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:26)

Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,  Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”  (Daniel 9:27)

Daniel's prophecy of the seventy weeks may also be translated seventy sevens.  Many scholars agree that the sevens are seven years, as the seventy years of captivity.

The First Part of the Tribulation

The two (2) witnesses clothed in sackcloth and prophesying during the first 3 1/2 years of the 7 year tribulation period have a strikingly similarity to Elijah and Moses.

These 2 witnesses mourn for the unrepented world for which they are prophesizing, that through their message, many might be saved.

Elijah and Moses appeared together with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. 

These witnesses' testimony to the truth is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God.

They have the authority to prevent rain during the days of their prophecy, identifying them with Elijah, whose prayer caused it not to rain for 3 1/2 years.

They also have authority to turn waters into blood and to strike the earth with various plagues, identifying them with Moses, which at his command miraculous signs were performed as follows:

1. Water becomes blood (Exodus 7:14-25)

2. Frogs invade the land (Exodus 8:1-15)

3. Lice invade the land (Exodus 8:16-19)

4. Flies invade the land (Exodus 8:20-31

5. Murrain upon the cattle (Exodus 9:1-7)

6. Boils, blains, or sores upon man and beast (Exodus 9:8-12)

7. Hail upon the land (Exodus 9:13-35)

8. Locusts invade the land (Exodus 10:1-20)

9. Darkness throughout the land (Exodus 10:21-29)

10. Death of the first-born (Exodus 11:1-12)

The magicians of Egypt claim duplication of Moses' first two (2) miracles by their secret arts. 

Their miracles, however, were based on deception and illusion, as are the tricks of modern-day magicians, who are empowered by some demonic source.

These magicians were unable to duplicate the third (3rd) plague of lice, and by their own admission of not being able to reproduce this plague, they recognized this work as "the finger of God."

Such an admission and recognition should have moved Pharaoh to acknowledge God's intervention, but Pharaoh wouldn't listen to them.

The Egyptian priest/magicians' magic was viewed as a way of manipulating gods or supernatural beings; this art of manipulation was held in awe by Pharaoh and the Egyptian population for their special powers.

Any of the plagues performed by God through the mouth of Moses could have wiped out all life in Egypt.

However, God's restraint demonstrated grace and also gave an opportunity for Pharaoh to demonstrate his rebellious character. 

God raised up (permitted Pharaoh to become and continue as) Egypt 's ruler to demonstrate His power to the whole earth.

These 10 plagues also demonstrate the hardness of the sinful human heart, and the grace of God, who did not destroy the nation that oppressed His people.

The awesome judgments through the plagues led Pharaoh to a grudging acknowledgment of his sin in resisting God's known will.

However, his confession was meaningless, because as soon as the pressure was removed, he went back to his old ways.

For anyone to say, "I did wrong," as Pharoah himself did, is useless unless it leads to a choice of what is right.

Pharaoh went back to his old ways and continued his disastrous course even after the land of Egypt was ruined by the 10 devastating plagues.

Unfortunately, a knowledge of the consequences of sin does not lead every individual to reform.

As Pharoah was too wise in his own eyes to reform, and led many others to act likewise, so it is today with those deceived and being deceived.

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, For he who hates correction is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)

A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies. (Proverbs 14:25)

An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. (Proverbs 17:11)

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?  There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 26:12)

These two (2) witnesses, whomever they might be, Elijah and Moses or Enoch or some other prophet; they are sent preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ with miracles accompanying them as follows:

1. Loathsome Sores on those with the mark of the beast and those who worshiped him (Revelation 16:2)

2. The Sea Turns to Blood (Revelation 16:3)

3. The Waters Turn to Blood (Revelation 16:4-7)

4. Men are Scorched (Revelation 16:8-9)

5. Darkness and Pain (Revelation 16:10-11)

6. Euphrates Dired Up (Revelation 16:12-16)

7. The Earth Utterly Shaken with a mighty and great earthquake and  great  hail (Revelation 16:17-21) 

The Two (2) Witnesses

Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. (Rvelation 11:1)

 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:2)

 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” (revelation 11:3)

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the Godof the earth. (Revelation 11:4)

And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. (Revelation 11:5)

These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (Revelation 11:6)

The Two Witnesses Killed

When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. (Revelation 11:7)

And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8)

Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. (Revelation 11:9)

And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 11:10)

The Two Wintesses Resurrected

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. (Revelation 11:11)

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. (Revelation 11:12)

In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. (Revelation 11:13)

The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. (Revelation 11:14)

Close of the First 3 1/2 Years

The death and resurrection of the two (2) witnesses closes out the first half of the 7 year tribulation period, and marks the beginning of the second and final 3 1/2 years (the great tribulation).

Opening of the Final 3 1/2 Years

The first beast (the Antichrist) and the second beast (the false prophet) are now in place as instruments of Satan to perform his evil doings.

The beast from the sea has 7 heads and 10 horns, similar to the fiery red dragon (Satan) having 7 heads and 10 horns, and 7 diadems on his head.

The 7 headed beast most likely refers to the Gentile world power as it relates to Israel, especially in the end times.

The heads are identified both as mountains (typically a symbol for kingdoms) and as rulers, which could be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Persia, Rome, and a restored Roman Empire.

The 10 horns most likely signifies the final form of Gentile world power.

The beast from the sea receives his power and authority from the dragon.

The parallel to the four beasts (especially the fourth) in Daniel 7 and the explanation of the beast given in Revelation 17:8-11;

make it seem that the beast symbolizes both the revived Roman Empire, which exercises universal authority, and a specific ruler, whom John calls the Antichrist.

The duration of the beast's world-wide supremacy is 42 months or 3 1/2 years, in keeping with the prophecy of Daniel.

And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. (Revelation 13:5)

He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)

Time can refer to a year, and times to two (2) years, and half a time to a half (1/2) year, for a total of 3 1/2 years, which coincides with Revelation 13:5.

The beast from the earth is markedly different in outward appearance, in that he has 2 horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.

This beast's actions as described in Revelation 13:12-17 make it virtually certain that he is the false prophet spoken of in Revelation 16:13, 19:20, and 20:10.

The word "lamb" here does not refer to Christ (Lamb of God).  This lamb is an emblem of Jewish worship and religious authority.

This beast's message comes from the dragon (Satan), just as the first beast took his power and authority from the dragon.