Rapture, Tribulation Period, And Beyond!
A Step By Step Walk Through The Rapture, Tribulation Period, Millennium, Judgments, And Eternal State.
By
Haskel E. Malone, Sr. & Terry J. Malone
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2012 Terry J. Malone. All Rights Reserved.
Discover other titles by Terry J. Malone at Smashwords.com.
Special thanks to Kathy Anderson for editing this work.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
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Table Of Contents
Chapter One: The Blessed Hope Will You Be Left Behind?
Chapter Two: It Will Be A Pre-Tribulation Rapture; The Argument
Chapter Four: Matthew 24:29-31 Explained
Chapter Five: Who Will Be Left Behind? Those Who Forget God
Chapter Six: The Bema Seat, Judgment Of The Christians
Chapter Seven: Why Tribulation And How It May Begin
Chapter Eight: The Seven Sealed Judgments
Chapter Nine: The Rise Of The Antichrist
Chapter Ten: The Seven Trumpet Judgments
Chapter Eleven: The Seven Bowl Judgments-The Seventh Trumpet Sounds
Chapter Twelve: The Second Coming Of Christ
Chapter Thirteen: The Millennium Kingdom
Chapter Fourteen: The Final Reckoning-The Judgment Of Man, Satan, And The Fallen Angels
Chapter Fifthteen: The Eternal State
Chapter One: The Blessed Hope Will You Be Left Behind?
Shielding my face from the afternoon sun, as drops of sweat cascaded from my brow, I could hear a familiar horn sounding in the distance. I’ve heard that horn many times in my life, but today it was extra special. For today is my daughter's first birthday.
As I gathered my tools, thoughts of the celebration began filling my mind. This would be a birthday I would not long forget. Collecting my things, I raced to my truck in anticipation of the joy that would follow. As I drove off, a couple of the guys yelled out birthday wishes for my daughter. I smiled and waved at them as I pulled out onto the road.
On the drive home, glancing at the presents I had bought her, thoughts of her birth and the excitement that she had brought into my life raced through my mind. The light in her eyes as I held her for the first time, the touch of her tiny little fingers as they caressed my protective hand, and the magic of her smile knowing that I loved her. She was my treasure and the apple of my eye. I couldn’t imagine life without her.
As I neared my home, a newsbreak abruptly signed on, interrupting the music that I had been listening to. Turning my attention to the report, to my shock, it was saying that a plane had just crashed into a building in Los Angeles, although not confirmed. Looking on in astonishment, immediately thoughts of the 911 tragedy came rushing to my mind. “How could this have happened again,” I cried pounding the face of the dashboard. Disbelief and anger began to overtake me as my emotions started to race. I knew I had to get home to my family to make sure they were safe.
As I darted in and out of traffic, thoughts of death and disaster began to invade my mind. With each passing traffic light the horrors of the moment became increasingly vivid. Sitting there listening, I wanted to kill whoever was responsible for this tragedy and death alone was too good for them.
Stopping for a traffic light and fuming over what had just transpired, I noticed that there was something clipped to the upper side of my sun visor. Flipping it down, a smile replaced my look of distress. It was a picture of my wife and little girl. She had just gotten her first tooth and was grinning from ear to ear. As I gazed affectionately at that picture, feelings of love and joy began to fill my heart. Looking over at the gifts that I had bought for my daughter, I realized I had let this horrible tragedy get the best of me. As terrible as it was, I still had to get a grip on myself and go on with life.
Suddenly, the light turned green, and I was off to meet my wife and daughter with renewed vigor. Nothing was going to spoil this birthday, and I was looking forward to seeing the look on her face as I gave her her presents.
As I proceeded toward home, in the distance, I could see the flashing of police lights. “An accident or something has happened,” I thought as I continued with caution. As I came closer, it looked like a vehicle of some sort had crashed into the side of Johnson’s Drugstore. Slowing to get a better look, I peered intently out the window to see what had happened. However, a policeman directing traffic signaled for me to keep moving, so I increased my speed and continued on my way home. “I hope nobody was hurt,” I said as I drove away.
A few blocks up I came to my neighborhood. Turning down my street, my excitement began to mount as I anticipated seeing my little girl. As I drove down my street, I could see my neighbors out talking to one another. Many of them appeared to have worried and concerned looks on their faces. Some were even crying. But that didn’t surprise me considering what had just taken place in L.A.
Finally, I was home. What a day this has turned out to be! But now it was time to enjoy life, and at the same time, bring a little joy to someone I love. Parking my car, I ran toward the house with presents in hand like I had just won the lottery. Fumbling with keys and balancing cumbersome presents, I finally opened the door. “Honey I’m home,” I said as I walked through the door. But there was no answer as I carefully placed the gifts on the bench in the foyer. “Honey where are you?” I called as I entered the kitchen area. As I surveyed the kitchen, something wasn’t right. Hot pans were boiling over, and looking into the living room, the baby’s toys were scattered about with television blaring. Upset, I began to search upstairs calling out my wife’s name as I went. Room by room I searched, but there was no sign of either of them throughout the whole upstairs.
Fearing something was amiss, I began to search the rest of house looking in every room and opening up every closet. As I searched, a sense of urgency began to kick in. “Where were they?”…“Where could they have gone?” Finally, it dawned on me. “Her Car!” She wouldn’t go anywhere without her car; it had the only car seat for the baby in it. Hurriedly running out to the garage, I tripped and fell down the last two steps of the garage entrance. Rolling several times, I found myself down on the cold damp cement garage floor. Quickly collecting myself, I looked across the garage to see if her car was in its usual place. To my dismay, it was still there. In a panic, I ran out to the backyard peering in every direction searching for clues, any clues that might tell of their whereabouts. But not a trace of them was to be found.
Hurrying back into the house, I ran into the living room and grabbed the phone. My head was spinning, but soon names and faces came to mind and I began to dial. In my haste, I kept dialing the wrong number. “Calm down,” I kept telling myself. There’s got to be a reasonable explanation for this. Someone could have picked them up or there could have been an emergency. Thinking the worst, I grabbed the phone book to lookup area hospitals.
As I began to dial, the words “Breaking News” came flashing across the television. I suspected it was further information about the crash in Los Angeles, so I continued my sequence of numbers. But this was no ordinary newsbreak. As I listened, I slowly hung up the phone, mesmerized, and in disbelief at what the reporter was reporting. “We interrupt this program for late breaking news. Reports from all over the world are coming in that millions of people are allegedly missing. Details are sketchy at this point, but many of the eyewitnesses claim that the missing simply vanished before their eyes. So far, the state department, as to what this could be, has explored no explanation, but we will keep you up to date as more details become available. We take you now live to our offices in Washington…”
As I sat there listening in stunned disbelief, it suddenly dawned on me what had happened today. The plane that crashed into the building in L.A., it wasn’t a terrorist attack. The crash that took place at the drug store, it wasn’t an accident. Suddenly, my mind began to race and a look of horror came over me. “NO, NO, PLEASE GOD, NO!” I screamed as I sat in the darkness of the room. “This can’t be happening to me!” Not wanting to believe the thoughts that had permeated my mind, I hysterically began dialing everyone I knew that might know where my wife and daughter might be.
Hour after hour I spent calling that night, watching the TV as expert after expert gave their explanation for this bizarre yet very real nightmare. A number of her church friends weren’t at home so I got in my car and headed for their houses. As I was driving, it occurred to me, if this were the rapture, the preacher would be the most likely person to be taken. So I turned the car around and headed for his house.
As I sped toward his home, I began to weep uncontrollably. I couldn’t help but think of the many times the preacher had been in my home and begged me to come to the Lord, but I would not listen. I could remember, as he looked into my eyes, the love on his face as he tenderly touched my hand and warned me of this impending day. But I turned him away every time with a promise that someday I would change and come to the Lord. Time and time again I made that promise never really believing that this hour would ever come.
Snapping back to the present, suddenly, I could hear the sound of sirens coming toward me. Was I speeding? As I looked up ahead, I could see several police cars heading down the road in the opposite lane. “Shuu!” I said, breathing a heavy sigh of relief. They weren’t after me.
Determined to find out the truth, I pressed on to my destination. As I drove closer to his house I became increasingly nervous that he wouldn’t be there. But what if he was there. Was he left behind too, and if not, then where are my wife and daughter?
As I drew closer to his house, I could feel my heart pounding violently against my chest. I kept repeating over and over, “Please be there, please be there, please be there.” Coming to an abrupt stop, I leaped out of my car and sprinted to his front door. As I knocked on the door, I noticed that his car was parked in the driveway. I could also hear the sound of his TV in the background. After pounding several times, I went over to the bay window and peered into the living room. The TV was on and what looked to be the evening newspaper was sloping haphazardly down the front of the sofa. I also noticed a partially drank beverage on the end table. Somebody was there…or had been there.
After a few minutes of waiting to see if someone would return to the living room, I decided to try the other entrances of the house. Running around to the back, I peered into every window hoping to catch a glimpse of someone in the house, but there was no sign of anyone.
Opening up the back screen door, I began to pound fiercely on the fragile wooden frame. “Is anyone home,” I yelled. Suddenly, the door jarred loose from its rusty latch. Hmm! The back door was unlocked, so I decided to investigate. Walking tentatively through the back door, I could hear the noise of the TV still playing in the living room. “Hello! Is anyone home,” I repeated. “Can anyone hear me?” As I walked slowly up the back staircase into the kitchen, I continued to call out to anyone who may be in the house, but still no answer. After searching the upstairs, I went to the basement to see if anyone was down there. As I walked down the stairs I could see that someone was in the middle of washing clothes, but no one was around.
As I stood there in that cold dark basement, I looked up to heaven and began to cry. As my emotions began to overtake me, I slowly dropped to my knees. Burying my head in my hands, in a fit of anger mixed with rage, I began to cry out, “Why God…why did you take my baby girl! Why!” In bitter anguish, I began to scream and wail as I rocked uncontrollably back and forth on the floor. What would I do now? How could I go on?
As I lay there empty and alone on that basement floor, I knew that I would never see my wife or baby again. I knew that through all the false promises and the countless excuses I had made, my time had come and gone…for Jesus had come and I had been left behind.
Jesus Our Hope And His Promise
After the resurrection of Christ, before He was taken up out of this world, He left behind a promise that He would return some day in like manner to receive His bride (Acts 1:10, 11). It is for this Blessed Hope that we long and wait patiently.
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. 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: 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 (I Thessalonians 4:15-17).
More then ever, I am looking for the Lord to come at any moment and rapture the church. This must have been what Noah felt as 120 years of warning people was coming to an end. He didn’t know when God would destroy the world with water but he knew the event was imminent.
How do I know this will happen? I don’t! What will the timeframe be? It could be days, months, and maybe even years (although I doubt years). However, as I read the headlines, I see a day coming very soon when all warnings will cease.
Jesus foretold many signs while on earth about the end times. One thing He made clear was that that final generation could know the day that they were living in. Jesus stated, “And he spake to them a parable; behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand (Luke 21:30-31).” As Jesus declares, we know that summer is fast approaching when we begin to see the leaf buds on a tree; likewise, when you begin to see all the end-time prophecies beginning to take place, it’s time to look up because summer is fast approaching.
Certainly, I don’t advocate date setting, but I do believe Scripture supports that we as Christians should not be ignorant of the times. Every major Biblical occurrence was always preceded by a warning or direction from God as to what holy men should look for…from the flood to the birth of Christ. The last days are no different. Many point to Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only," as evidence that we can’t determine when the Lord will come. I agree with that in part. Let me explain.
This passage of Scripture speaks volumes about the knowledge that God has given the church regarding the end times.
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 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. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 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. 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 (I Thessalonians 5:1-10).
This passage starts right out by declaring that we Christians should not be ignorant of the times and seasons. Paul writes, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” It wasn’t a mystery to them nor should it be to us today. It was common knowledge to the Thessalonian Christians according to Paul. Who was Paul referring to who would fall victim to this “thief in the night”? It’s obvious he is speaking of unbelievers. They will be the recipients of that great day of the Lord. There are two reasons I believe this. One, Paul goes on to state, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” This is also further proof of the knowledge that God has given us of end time events. And two, he further states, “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.”
What should we learn from this passage? We may not know the exact time when the Lord is coming but we can have a pretty good idea. I can’t tell you that the Lord is coming tonight or tomorrow, but with an Israeli peace plan hanging in the balance, He very well could.
The Bible does predict, when the Antichrist signs a peace agreement with Israel, this would mark the beginning of the tribulation period. That could happen very soon. At this time, peace talks are on hold, but that could change quickly. However, it will not be finalized until the man of sin (Antichrist; II Thessalonians 2:3-4) comes on the scene.
We also can be assured as Christians, we will not fall victim to whatever the “thief in the night” has planned. In the same vein that this passage speaks of the Lord’s coming, He finishes by saying; don’t worry, you’re not appointed to my wrath (I Thessalonians 5:9).
As a mother knows that her baby is ready to be delivered, Christians should know the day that they are living in based on the signs God has given us in His Word. Can this all be a coincidence? Are these the last days or is everything going to just be all right? Is the sleeping bear about to awaken and unleash its final fury? Has the Islamic world had just about enough of Israel? Is the Antichrist about to make his grand world entrance?
Reasons Why Jesus Could Not Come In Any Other Generation
Let me give you some profound reasons why we are living in the last days. Take into consideration that my reasons are based on predictions made more than 2,000 years ago.
The predictions of the Bible are not generalized or vague like many so-called prophets of today. Biblical prophecy has always been on target. There has not been one Bible prophecy that has failed or has been late.
It is astonishing that so many things have happened in this generation that was predicted over 2,000 years ago, that have come to pass. Another amazing element is they could not have happened in any other time period. Let me give you a few examples.
In the last days, Israel will once again become a nation and a generation will not pass away before Jesus comes again (Matthew 24:32-34). Not only was Israel reborn as a nation (May 14, 1948), it became a nation in the middle of all its enemies. How many nations do you know that have accomplished this feat? And they had to defeat several battle ready Arab states to keep their land. Since then, they have been challenged many times. In fact, in 1967 several of the Arab countries staged a surprise attack, and when all was said and done, Israel had more land than they began with. And if the United Nations had not stepped in, Israel would have taken a lot more land. Israel also took back Jerusalem, which they have not occupied for almost 2,000 years.
In the last days, the Islamic world, led by Russia, will stage an all out attack on Israel (Ezekiel 38 & 39). The Bible gives us another 2,000-year-old prediction. Of course, this Russian-Islamic Alliance will be defeated. If someone had said 40 years ago that these nations would be allies, most would have scoffed at the suggestion. However, in these last days, Russia has been building nuclear plants on Islamic soil and have forged military alliances with every nation listed to take part in this future battle.
It isn’t completely clear when this attack will occur. It’s possible it could take place before the tribulation period begins, during the gap of time between the rapture and the start of the tribulation or during the tribulation period. I lean toward the beginning of the tribulation.
This prophesied attack will be based on greed, control of the Middle East, and/or to challenge the authority of the Antichrist (if it takes place during the tribulation). The Islamic world will take part for the sole purpose of finally wiping Israel off the face of the map.
In the last days knowledge will rapidly increase (Daniel 12:4). Man has advanced more in the last 100 years than since the dawn of man. This is startling! For approximately 5,900 years, man’s primary mode of transportation has been an animal of some sort (horse, donkey, camel, etc.) or walking. Of course, watercrafts have been used for centuries, but land transportation has been restricted to animals for the majority of history. Obviously, that has changed over the last century and quite dramatically over the past 50 years.
Communication has taken a giant leap forward as well. Computers have led the way, but Smartphones and tablet pads are now taking over as the internet has opened up a new worldwide range of possibilities.
Medical researchers are now growing human organs in a laboratory including a live human heart using stem cells.
These are only a few of the discoveries made within the last 3 or 4 years. Things are now changing by the day instead of from generation to generation. There’s no telling what the world will be like when Jesus comes.
The Bible predicted in the last days the world would be heading toward a one-world government (Revelation 13:2-8). This will eventually come to pass during the tribulation period under the rule of the Antichrist. However, there are many forces behind the scenes working toward that goal as we speak. Did you know that there is a very prominent organization called the New World Order? Its main focus is to bring the world together under a one-world government.
Mikhail Gorbachev was the first to address the emergence of a New World Order in 1988 and then President George Bush, Sr. following his victory over Iraq in the Gulf War in the early 90s. The former US president spoke of a bright new future world that would one day lead us into global harmony and establish a one-world government. Since then, many world leaders have echoed his words, including current US President Barack Obama.
The Bible predicted in the last days that a nation from the East would have a standing army of two hundred million soldiers (Revelation 9:13-19). There has never been a nation in world history that has ever been able to field an army of this magnitude until this present generation. China, with a population exceeding 1.3 billion, could easily raise an army of this magnitude. At present, China is estimated (2010) to have over 660 million in the 20-49 year old age group.[1] That’s almost 50 percent of the projected population and they may not be alone. The Bible says there will be three other angels (demons) released (v. 15). It is likely China will be joined by three other demon possessed world leaders in their march of death, destruction, and terror.
During the tribulation period it is predicted that two of the Lord’s witnesses will be killed and their bodies left in the streets for all nations to view for three and one half days (Revelation 11:3-10). Obviously, this could only have been possible during this generation through the invention of satellite transmission (1957). Today, we can literally go anywhere in the world and transmit live video to every nation and tongue.
In the last days, the Arab people will claim the land of Israel, which God gave to their brothers, the Jews (Ezekiel 35:5, 10; 36:2, 5). This prophecy has been fulfilled in this generation, and at this very moment, is central to the Middle East peace process.
For almost 2,000 years the Jews were dispersed from the land which God gave them, and during that time period, there was never an Arab state in the area that the world called Palestine. The Arabs who lived in that area considered themselves Syrians. They had no consciousness as Palestinians, and no effort was ever made to create a Palestinian state.
When the Jews began returning in the late 1800s, the Arab’s gleefully sold them the land (Israel) at inflated prices because it was considered worthless. However, following World War I the Arab viewpoint toward the Holy Land changed. The allied victory resulted in the land of Palestine being transferred from the Turks to the British. The British then immediately proclaimed it to be the future homeland of the Jews.
Suddenly, the Arab world was confronted with the prospect of a Jewish state in the Middle East, and they began to dig in their heels, claiming the land as their own. The British gave into Arab pressure, and in 1922 they gave two-thirds of Palestine to the Arabs, creating the state of Jordan. But even with Israel’s promised land reduced to less than half this still didn’t satisfy the Arab appetite. They wanted all the land God had given to the Jews, and they still covet it to this day just as prophesied.
Of course, these seven predictions I have listed are just a few of the prophecies slated for the last days. Every one of them has either happened, or is in the process of happening, and it’s all taking place in this generation. Could this really be the last generation?
Bible Prophecy Signs That Will Confirm When We Are Living In The Tribulation Period
The Lord has compelled me to write a chapter listing the signs that will prove the tribulation period has begun. The information provided will not be valid until after the rapture of the church has taken place.
Following the rapture of the church, the tribulation period could begin immediately or a gap of time could pass before it commences. It could literally be years before the tribulation period begins.
So what will ultimately mark the beginning of the tribulation period? The Bible says that the first day of the tribulation period will be marked when the Antichrist signs a peace agreement with Israel (and many, likely the Arab League) for seven years. He will later break it midway through the tribulation period. Most Bible believing prophecy scholars believe the Antichrist will likely rise up out of the revived Roman Empire which is today's modern day European Union (Daniel 9:27).
The Bible states that the tribulation period will be comprised of two halves of 3.5 years or 1,260 days each (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:21). All Bible believing scholars and ministers believe that time frame to be literal days opposed to figurative. The tribulation period will end, to the day, 2,520 days later marked by the Second Coming of Christ.
The beginning of the tribulation period will also be marked by the appearance of two other important individuals sent by God. As Satan begins his earthly conquest through the Antichrist, God will send two witnesses (Holy Spirit empowered) of His own who will preach on the streets of Jerusalem dressed in sackcloth for the beginning 3.5 years of the tribulation period (Revelation 11:3). These two men will boldly preach the Gospel and will be openly hated for doing so. They will be unstoppable in their mission and even the Antichrist will be powerless to destroy them during the first half of the tribulation period (Revelation 11:7-8).
The tribulation period has not begun and won’t start until the man of sin (Antichrist) is revealed (II Thessalonians 2:3). Furthermore, when the Antichrist is revealed, God's two witnesses will also be revealed during the same time period. They will perform great miracles and induce a worldwide revival that will be mind-boggling and undeniable. When you see the Middle East peace agreement confirmed and the appearance of these two witnesses know that you are living in the beginning of the tribulation period.
The Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38 & 39) could be the next major event (early stages of the tribulation period) followed by the likely rebuilding of the Holy Temple (Revelation 11:1-2) and the revealing of the Ark of the Covenant.
One other thing, most assume that the rapture marks the immediate beginning of the tribulation period. Not necessarily! There is a very interesting scenario in Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins book Are We Living In The End Times? They state in their book (as a possible scenario) that in the middle of the peace process, Russia and its Arab allies could stage their attack on Israel (Ezekiel 38 & 39). Of course, they will be miraculously defeated. Here’s an excerpt from their book regarding this future battle.
It could happen prior to God’s last soul harvest just before the rapture. Or it could come after the rapture and before the tribulation. Keep in mind, there could be a period of days to several years between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation. Since the Jews will burn the remains of the war described in Ezekiel 38-39 for seven winters (39:9) and because they will be driven out of the Holy Land by the Antichrist during the last three and a half years of the tribulation (Revelation 12:6, 14), it would seem logical that the destruction of Russia and her allies will occur at least three and half years prior to the Tribulation. If that deduction is correct, there will be ample time for the Jews to rebuild their temple. In one moment God will have broken the back of the Muslim hordes who hate Israel so intensely, freeing Israel to rebuild her temple. This would be a drawing card to Jews around the world to return to the Holy Land to worship in their third temple.[2]
This scenario doesn’t mean that the tribulation period will not begin for at least another 3.5 years following this war, but it does open up the possibility that the rapture could occur at any moment. Every prophetic detail need not be in place before the rapture can transpire. Actually, I wouldn’t rule out the prospect of a lapse in time between the rapture and the signing of the final peace accord. It could be a matter of months or even years after the rapture takes place before the Antichrist comes on the scene with his deceptive plans.
Can You Survive The Tribulation Period?
If you’re reading this book, it may be because you didn't get taken in the rapture of the church, but you can still know Jesus as Lord and Savior. I hope this will be a tool that the Lord uses to open up your eyes to your need for Him. Your future and eternity could depend on what you decide at this very moment. Don’t let this opportunity to know the Lord pass you by. It may be your last!
However, your most immediate concern is likely what comes next? Will you be able to survive what the Bible says will be the most horrible time in history? I have always questioned if there are specific procedures that one could follow that would enable a person to survive the tribulation period. I truly believe that it will be by the grace of God that anyone survives. Let me put this time period in perspective. The tribulation period will be so devastating and so horrible that Jesus said, “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: But for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened (Matthew 24:22).” However, the Bible is clear that there will be survivors, and it could be you!
So what are your chances of surviving the tribulation period? Nobody knows for sure, but we do know one-quarter of the world’s population will be eliminated (Revelation 6:7-8) when the fourth seal is broken and another one-third will die when the sixth trumpet sounds (Revelation 9:13-19). That doesn’t even include:
1. The complete destruction of Mystery Babylon (Revelation 18).
2. The devastation of a worldwide earthquake (Revelation 16:18).
3. The complete annihilation of the Russian-Islamic Alliance (Ezekiel 38 & 39).
4. Wormwood (Revelation 8:10-11).
5. The Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 9:16; 16:15-16).
6. The worldwide martyrdom of Christians (Revelation 7:13-17).
7. The worldwide hailstorm of 100 lb. hailstones (Revelation 16:21).
8. The earth being struck by a giant meteorite (Revelation 8:8-9).
Certainly, this is not a complete list but you get the picture. If there are survivors, a person's chances of being in that number are slim. But by the grace of God, I believe this book can increase your chances significantly.
Chapter Two: It Will Be A Pre-Tribulation Rapture; The Argument
Over the years, I have discussed this issue with many friends and acquaintances from around the world. From this I have drawn this conclusion. Most are unmovable in their stand whether pre or post tribulation supporters. They both have their reasons and supporting Scriptures no matter how bizarre or twisted it may sound. They both will argue on the subject until they’re blue in the face, and last but not least, neither will ever under any circumstance admit they are wrong.
Truthfully, I wouldn’t get hung up on when Jesus will come back. Those who do are missing out on what the Christian life is all about--faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is vital not only in death, but also in life. I strongly believe that God is in control of every believer’s life no matter what the circumstances dictate. Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”---even if that means going through the tribulation period! That is a fact you must agree with and is a big part of the faith walk here on this earth. I choose to have faith that God knows exactly what He is doing and that He is always looking out for my good. If I must go through the tribulation period (again, I don’t believe the Bible supports that Christians will), according to the Word of God, it is for my good. Once you finally take hold of this promise, you will never waste another breath arguing about this subject. It is for this reason that the following has been written for informational as opposed to argumentative purposes.
Who Will Populate The Millennium?
From time to time, I will have a post-tribulation believer write me claiming that I am some sort of heretic who needs to repent because I believe the rapture of the church will be pre-tribulation. For some reason, they feel this is going to cause Christians (who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture) to fall away when they find themselves in the middle of the tribulation period. In fact, every email I have ever received from a post-tribber states this as their main objection to the pre-tribulation rapture.
Frankly, their argument is extremely unbiblical, but not necessarily for the reasons you may be thinking. Unfortunately, those who hold to this argument just don't understand the true power behind living the Christian life. They forget that the Christian life is impossible to live outside of the Holy Spirit on either side of the tribulation period. They overlook the fact that anyone can claim to be a Christian, and many do, but only a true Christian is indwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, any professing (false) Christian will quickly fall away during the tribulation period. It is the Holy Spirit that lives within every believer who makes it possible to live this life...even under great tribulation (Revelation 7:14).
Christians have been suffering unimaginable atrocities since the dawn of the early church. According to Voice of the Martyrs, a Christian magazine that chronicles modern day stories of martyrdom, today more than 3500 Christians are killed daily for their faith. Many of those deaths are preceded by torture... and that's in today's world! The Bible makes no secret of the fact that you may be called upon to suffer and die for your faith in Christ. In fact, speaking of the great tribulation period, Revelation 14:13 says, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth". God will consider it a blessing/honor for a Christian to suffer or die in the Lord during the tribulation period.
Recently, I had a post-tribber e-mail me urging me to repent and stop teaching what they believed to be the false doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture. This person listed all the usual reasons for why the pre-tribulation rapture was unscriptural and asked for me to reply to their assertions. Anytime a post-tribber contacts me I never argue the Scriptures with them due to the fact that it always turns into a long circular argument no matter how much proof I present. Instead, I only ask them one simple question which I presented to this person:
If Christian's who are alive today go through the tribulation period (not raptured before) then who will Christ (and the Saints) rule over when He comes to reign for one-thousand years on earth (Millennium)? According to you if the rapture and the Second Coming occur at the end of the tribulation period who will be left on the earth for us to reign over? You must remember that I Thessalonians 4:13-18 says that every Christian will be raptured who is on the earth.The Bible also says that everyone outside of Christians will take the mark and it's clear they will be executed at the coming of the Lord. With that said, I ask again, who will be left on the earth to enter into the Millennium?
This was the answer of the individual:
As far as those left for us to govern in the Millennium, check out Matthew 25. Could it not be those nations (peoples) which have treated Israel well during Antichrist's reign? We'll all see Soon. God bless you greatly (Revelation 12:11).
Here is my answer to their reply:
Your answer to who will go into the Millennium if Christians are raptured defies Biblical logical. No nation or person will be able to enter the Millennium without knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior. You can't be neutral before the tribulation period to enter heaven (when you die) and you won't be able to be neutral when you stand before the same Lord when He judges the nations to enter into His earthly kingdom. And at both judgments those who don't know the Lord will be sent to a burning hell/lake of fire. The same requirement of salvation will be required for both judgments. Why do you think God will send out 144,000 witnesses (Revelation 7:1-8, 11:3) into every part of the world with divine protection to preach the Gospel? Everyone will hear the Gospel one way or another (angels; Revelation 14:1-12) and will be without excuse. Neutrality will not be an excuse and is inconsistent with the Bible (Matthew 6:24).
The argument that someone will enter into the Millennium just because they helped hide an Israeli won't get it either. Many people hid the Jews during World War II at the risk of losing their life. I applaud them for doing so but if they did not know the Savior before they died they are in hell right now awaiting final judgment.
One more thing, the Bible says in Revelation 13:8, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." All means all! Everyone who is not a Christian will worship the Antichrist. Until you can get past this verse your theory has a big problem.
Since there will only be two kinds of people on the earth at the Second Coming...saved and lost...I ask you again...who will be left to go into the Millennium?
I haven't heard back from this individual since and I don't expect to. As I have said in the past, no one has ever answered this question without falling into many Biblical holes...and until someone does, I will continue to teach and believe that the rapture of the church will be pre-tribulation.
Those Counted Worthy
Another important point is described in Luke 21, in which Jesus is found talking to His disciples regarding the future tribulation that the world must endure. He begins with the early church, speaking that they will be betrayed, cast into prison, and persecuted. Jesus states that Jerusalem would be besieged and led away captive to all nations. He then climaxes with signs of the rapture of the church, the tribulation period, and His Second Coming. He also leaves the final generation with a stern warning and a startling revelation.
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:34-36).
Certainly, this warning was not a message to the disciples since Bible history attests to their life of persecution, torture, and death. They did not succumb to worldly pleasures nor did they escape trials and tribulation. No, this is a warning to the final generation. He exhorts them not to allow the cares of this world to entangle them, but to live for the Lord, “For as a snare shall it (tribulation period) come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.”
He concludes with a startling, but plain warning directed at the last generation. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Only those who are counted worthy will escape the great tribulation period and stand before the Lord.
Plainly, someone in the last days is going to miss the tribulation period! They will stand instead before the Son of Man. This cannot be said of those who go through the tribulation period. They will all suffer the horrors of that day and many will die brutal deaths for their faith. These verses alone are proof that there will be a pre-tribulation rapture.
The Protection Theory
Some who claim that the church will go through the tribulation believe God will protect the church as he did Israel during the plagues of Egypt or like Daniel when he was in the lion’s den. Their argument is that they may see the terrors of that day but God will seal and guard them. This is contrary to what the Book of Revelation states regarding those who become Christians during the tribulation period. The Bible paints a much different picture of the outcome of those who are saved during this time.
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and one of the elders answered, saying unto me, what are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? 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 (Revelation 6:9-10; 7:9, 13-14).
Many will die from every part of the globe, so great a multitude that no man could number them. Where did these people come from? Out of great tribulation! So much for the “protection theory”!
This leads to another false teaching, the mid and post- tribulation rapture theory. If God was going to allow such a great number of Christians to be slain during the tribulation period, why bother with a rapture at all. It would be pointless! The death toll will be innumerable as it is and who would go into the Millennium Age when it’s all said and done. No, the occurrence of a rapture only makes sense before the tribulation period begins.
A Good Church Split
Here’s another Biblical truth worth a closer look. It’s a commonly held belief among Christian scholars that there have been seven church ages throughout the church of Jesus Christ. Previously, I believed that today’s religious bodies represented the Laodicean church described in the Book of Revelation. I now believe I was only half right. It is my belief that the true Christians of our generation make up the Philadelphian church or the sixth church age.
“When the true believers (Philadelphian church age) are raptured, the Laodicean church will remain on earth, spewed out by God to endure the tribulation period. This church claims it has need of nothing; it is self-satisfied and self-complacent. Boasting of wealth and methods of organization, it fails to realize the absence of spiritual life in its midst. Christ informs them that they are utterly insensitive to their condition.
For their threefold need (poverty, nakedness, and blindness), they are advised to buy, without money and price to be sure, gold, which speaks of divine righteousness, white raiment, which denote practical righteousness, and eye salve, which points to spiritual discernment. Their trouble was that they had never really seen themselves as sinners.”[3]
This is the reason why I contend that we as believers are living in the Philadelphian rather than the Laodicean church age. Here is the description of the Philadelphian church.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; these things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown (Revelation 3:7-11).
Some very interesting characteristics of this church age are found in verse eight which states, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” The open door God speaks of is the worldwide missions and witness that has taken place in these last days. At this point in history, Christians are freely preaching the Gospel throughout most of the world. In fact, up until recently, Russia had been off limits to the Gospel. However, when the Berlin Wall fell so did the restrictions on the Gospel. God has virtually opened up every door to presenting Jesus as Lord. Yes, there are still a few countries that forbid the spreading of the Word, but soon, they too will be opened. This church age is also commended for its faithfulness and the keeping of God’s Word.
Verse ten is a significant passage because it lends light on a very controversial issue, “Will the church go through the tribulation period?” I believe that this verse puts that question to rest. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Yes, the Laodicean church will go through the tribulation period, but the Philadelphian church will be raptured. Although the Philadelphian church age has been around for many years, the tail end of this age has overlapped with the Laodicean church age. When the rapture occurs the Philadelphian church, which all true believers of this generation are a part of, will be caught up, and the Laodicean church will be left behind.
Why do I say this? Because in verse ten, God says that because of the faithfulness of this church, He would keep them from the hour of temptation (tribulation period) which shall come upon the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. When Jesus comes, He will rapture the Philadelphian church and will spew out the Laodicean church leaving them to go through the tribulation period.
At this time, I believe that there are two church ages co-existing on the earth, a faithful and true church (Philadelphian church), and a church that has kicked the Lord Jesus out (Laodicean church). The latter is religious in nature but it does not possess Jesus as Lord.
I’m sure there are those who are reading this who are thinking, “You’re making this way too complicated. The Philadelphian church has past and the present church age is the Laodicean church. Because our present church age is so liberal and chooses ease rather than to suffer for Christ, it will have to go through the tribulation period. It’s that simple!” If that’s true, why did God make a point of stating to the Philadelphian church that they would not have to go through the tribulation period, but made no such promise to the previous five churches? Why did God pointedly state that the Laodicean church would have to go through the tribulation period? Again, He made no such mandate to the first five churches! It’s also strange that although none of the first six churches will go through the tribulation period only one was specifically promised that it would be spared.
From these passages, it is clear to me that we as true born again believers of this generation will be raptured, while those of the false church will be left behind to go through the tribulation period.
If The Church Is Raptured Who Will Be A Witness?
Another question comes to mind from those who do not hold to a pre-tribulation rapture is, “If the church is raptured who will be a witness to the world?”
Since Christ’s ascension, many through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, have found new life. The commission to evangelize the world was placed upon the early church and its stamp of success guaranteed through the working of the Holy Spirit. For it is through the foolishness of preaching that men are saved (I Corinthians 1:21).
Even though this world has had its share of hypocrites, false teachers, and those who have discredited the Gospel, one thing is for certain, the Gospel has been successfully preached. Persecution, torture, abandonment, and all manner of evil have only served to strengthen and further the Gospel message. Down through the centuries many have died for the cause of Christ and many more will die in the coming tribulation period.
Where am I going with this? Over the last 2,000 years, God has raised up a very successful church that has preached the Gospel to every corner of the world. Missionaries have up and left all to follow the Lord’s leading. God’s will has been done, and done with great success, even today. My question is simple! With the success of the church, why will God send 144,000 evangelists and two witnesses to preach the Gospel to the world if the church is still here? He has used and empowered the church body for centuries to fulfill the Great Commission, why would that change during the tribulation period? Persecution has only served to strengthen and further the Gospel with greater power.
There’s only one conclusion: Jesus will rapture His church before the tribulation period begins. If God needed the church to stay behind and be a witness during the tribulation period, the two witnesses, the angels in the sky, and 144,000 Jewish evangelists would not be necessary.
It is to this hope that I look daily for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to return and take His bride.
Whether the rapture happens pre-, mid-, post-tribulation, pre-wrath, or seventh trump, when the tribulation period is finished at the Second Coming of Christ, there must be humans with reproductive organs left on the earth who are permitted to enter into the Millennium. If any of these rapture theories are unable to meet this absolute prerequisite they must be eliminated from consideration.
I have made it plain in my teachings the only rapture theory that clearly meets this prerequisite with direct Scripture is the pre-tribulation rapture. With that said, I always welcome those who can present direct Scriptural proof that the rapture theory they represent does leave childbearing humans on the earth after their rapture takes place. I also ask them to outline their tribulation period scenario at the very beginning of the discussion making sure they include when their rapture will take place and who will be the specific human individuals who enter and populate the Millennium.
Here is one of the more common answers that was sent to me addressing the question as to who will populate the Millennium?
Writer: The Jewish Remnant
The answer is...Revelation 12:6 which states, "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." This is the remnant of Judah, who will inherit the country of Israel promised to Abraham (and everywhere that Moses led the Hebrews too)...in the flesh (and blood). We also know that there will still be nations because they are alluded to during the Millennial time. Evidently, those army's will be killed but not all will die from the bowls.