Few people, in this latter day generation, are watching. many know nothing about such events as the rapture, the tribulation, and the second coming of Jesus. many others deny there will be a rapture. many deny there will be a tribulation. many deny Jesus Christ will physically return to this earth. Others believe in these events, but make an excuse, such as, "no man knows." they make light of it and convince themselves that it is a long way off. Only a very few believe these things will come to pass shortly. Only a very few are watching and ready.  

Sound biblical reasons showing the rapture is prior to the tribulation

1.         The saints are commanded to watch. they are not commanded to watch for the Tribulation, but for the blessed hope, which is the rapture. Scriptures proving this have already been covered in the previous text. if the saints were to go through the tribulation, it would contradict and nullify god’s word.

2.         Most of the saints that get saved during the tribulation will be greatly persecuted and killed. The few that survive will go into the millennium to repopulate the earth. if the rapture came after the tribulation, there would be no saints to go into the millennium. This would make the fulfillment of god’s word on this subject, impossible.

3.         The judgment of the nations, mentioned in Matthew chapter twenty-five, is held immediately after the tribulation and Armageddon. If the rapture had just happened, there would be no "sheep" at this judgment. as it is written, and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left-Mt 25:33. The sheep are those that are saved. The goats are the unsaved. Again, god’s word could not be fulfilled, if the rapture came after the tribulation.

4.         If the church was to go through the tribulation, it would contradict many verses in the bible, because most of the saints will be beheaded in the tribulation. the bible clearly shows, the antichrist will prevail against the saints. Anyone who claims the church will go through the tribulation does not appear to understand what the tribulation will really be like. Very few people will be left alive afterward. If Jesus did not come back exactly when he does, there should no flesh be left alive.

5.                  It is written, and when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption (or your being caught up) draweth nigh-Lk 21:28.

6.                  In Luke chapter 21, events of the tribulation are described. Verse 28 shows that when these events begin to happen, after Israel’s rebirth, then we are to know that the rapture is about to happen.  Note: immediately following verse 28 Jesus told them the parable of the fig tree. The fig tree in the Hebrew life referred to the nation of Israel. proof: Joel 1 v7 and Hosea 9v10 (all through the bible the fig tree is Israel)  verse 29 “look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see that summer is near, when you see these things happening; you know that the kingdom of god is near. I tell you the truth, this generation (which generation??? The generation that saw Israel’s rebirth (the generation that saw the fig tree sprouting) as a nation will not pass away until all these things have happened.”(the Jewish people have been scattered from the land of Israel starting in September 605 BC, when king Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and took some of his captives back to Babylon as slaves

7. Since that time, the Jewish people have been scattered throughout the world…they have never regained the land of Israel until 1948, over 2,500 years, and never regained control of Jerusalem until 1967. It is believed that Jesus was predicting that sometime in the future the nation of Israel would sprout again.  Since the Jews have regained the land of Israel, one has to just see the newspaper and realize that something phenomenal is happening. From all across the globe the Jews have been returning to Israel in record numbers. Jesus is saying when this begins to happen look up your redemption draws near. Some teaches that the very generation of people who are alive to see these events, which event? The event of 1948, that generation of people will not pass before our lord returns. “i tell you the truth this generation will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled.   

8.  It is written, wherefore comfort one another with these words-1 Thes 4:18. if we were watching for the horrible tribulation period, we would not be comforted. We would be terrified. This scripture could not be fulfilled, if the saints were to go into the tribulation period.

9.  The seven feasts of Israel give us god’s timetable. These are covered in Lev chapter 23.
    In the bible, the number seven is used to mean "total" or "completeness." it seems evident that all bible doctrine and prophecy are founded in these feasts. They reveal the time for the fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, his coming again, and the millennial kingdom.

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