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The Rapture

            In truth, Heed the Watchman website is brought forth from the conviction that time is short—and that the vast majority in churches (95% or higher) are unprepared and complacent. This is not an accident; most teaching in the organized church is misled, because of the adding to and diminishing of the Word of God.

            Some of these erroneous teachings have been handed down for three or more generations. Repeated often enough, they are accepted as true without a question. Each one of us have been victimized (that means me, too); but when we honestly let the Holy Spirit lead us He will bring us into the light. This section will be greatly expanded in the future. The Spirit is leading me to expound on some other topics first. Yet still, this vital area requires attention before it is too late. I have to warn you that the sword is coming to our world. “For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” Luke 21:22

            Let me first give you a summary of what I have been taught and heard from the organized church. Then we shall see what God says about it. I do not assume that all reading this have had the same experiences.

            Back in the mid 70’s I was young in the Lord, and those believers around me were eagerly anticipating the “rapture” of the bride of Christ (the true church). I Thessalonians 4:16-18 is one such passage concerning this event.

            This teaching is also referred to as the “any-moment” rapture of the church. It could happen at any time, and we do not know when. As we read in the second letter to the Thessalonians, this concern is actually addressed.

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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; II Thessalonians 2:1-3

            It seems the current consensus of the “church” is that the end is unknowable—when in fact, Jesus has gone to great lengths that we may know with certainty the season of the end times.

            Make no mistake about the term falling away; It is talking about Christians! Don’t believe it? Those who believe in eternal security don’t—and they are very deceived. See John 3:18,36, Romans 3:10-12. The natural condition of mankind is fallen! Those who do not know Christ through salvation cannot fall—they are already there. See also the section on eternal security for more info. Yet remember this verse,

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; II Timothy 4:1

            Consider also that this letter is written to “…the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Thessalonians 1:1) This makes it even more clear that “falling away” plainly refers to those who were once redeemed. The falling away of believers is vital to the antichrist taking control of the earth. Just look at all the churches around us! If they were filled with true believers, how could Satan take over? He would be exposed and opposed by the true church, contended against by those wearing the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17) The antichrist will deceive the world and the organized church; true believers will be almost extinct, and hunted even by those professing to know Christ (see Isaiah 66:5, John 16:2).

            We were taught that there would be a seven year tribulation period marked by disasters and turmoil. I have found no reference to a seven year period at the end. We see that the beast has power for 42 months (3½ years; Revelation 13:5); we also see that same time period (42 months) applied in Revelation 11:2. If you take these times to be consecutive (one after the other), you could come up with a seven year period. The Bible does not tell us this. In fact, the two 42 month periods could be the same one—or overlap in some different way. Assuming they “add up” to seven years is adding to God’s Word!

            The rapture was believed to come either before the seven year period, or at the halfway (42 month) point. Christ’s second coming would be at the end of this seven year period, at the battle of Armageddon. Note:  the term rapture never appears in the Bible. According to Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, rapture the noun is “a carrying away or being carried away in body or spirit.” I Thessalonians 4:17 comes close to saying this, so I find the term rapture to be adequate in description.

            Basically, every version we had of the rapture had believers “beaming up” before things got really ugly on the earth. We used rationale like comparisons with Noah and Lot to show how God saves His ambassadors before judgment falls. Also Revelation 3:10,

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. Revelation 3:10

            But how will we be kept from temptation? In Bible terms, death is deliverance (Isaiah 57:1). And any deliverance still means being tried, as well. (I Peter 1:7)

            The “any moment” rapture of the church is actually rooted in dispensational teaching, a discovery I made while studying the life of Cyrus Scofield in, The Incredible Scofield and His Book by Joseph Canfield. To come to such a conclusion, one must ignore the plain teachings of God’s Word (adding and diminishing again! Deuteronomy 4:2). There is only one second return of Christ, immediately before Armageddon. We need look no further than Jesus’ direct words during His earthly ministry.

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. 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. 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. 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. Luke 17:24-37

            The bold print emphasis is my own, of course. These scriptures in verses 27-30, clearly indicate that the rapture immediately precedes judgment at Armageddon—at least the same day. Jesus is giving some description of the rapture in verses 34-37. The disciples ask where they will be taken to (those who were caught up), and Jesus replies that “wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.” This description fits so well. The remaining believers (dead first, then the live) will be caught up to the Lord, as He returns to the battle of Armageddon. We will be as carrion birds (vultures) circling above the dead bodies there. Other passages covering this topic are Matthew 24:3-25:13; Mark 13:3-37; Luke 21:7-36; I Thessalonians 4:16-18; II Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation 19:7-17

            Some regard the sequence of events as unknowable. That is because they do not believe God’s Words—or even have them, if using a revised translation. Also, they are living their lives for the here and now, and don’t want it to end. The words of Jesus in these passages and throughout Revelation indicate that His followers will be heavily persecuted, and even killed. Doesn’t that make you wonder about all the “Christian” churches that are loved and flourishing?

            Then there are those who boldly claim, “It doesn’t matter exactly when all this will happen—I’m saved, and ready.”

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. I Corinthians 10:12

            God told us, and the timing matters! Remember, you can be deceived and fall away. If you think that the rapture is first, you will not be prepared when the antichrist takes over. The beast actually imitates God, and will convince professing Christians that he has come to set up the millennial reign. Those altered bible versions you use will absolutely support that claim!

            Jesus tells us to watch and be ready. If you do, His return will not come upon you as a “thief in the night.” The time is at hand:  you are being called to repentance, and back to the perfectly preserved Word of God (KJV). Though the body may perish, you soul will be saved. You still have time—please act quickly.