Order of Events: 1 - The Rapture

What is the Rapture?

The rapture refers to the time, prior to the start of the 7 year tribulation period, when believing Christians (both dead and alive) will "in the twinkling of the eye" be caught up ("raptured") to meet Christ in the air. "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven, 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." 1 Thessalonians 4:15,16 The second coming of Christ is one of the most prominent doctrines in the Bible. In the New Testament alone it is referred to over 300 times. His first coming was over 2000 years ago when He came on earth to save man from sin.

The second coming is an event starting at the rapture and consists of four phases: First, at the rapture Christ takes the believers out of the world to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4). Second, Christ pours out His judgments on the world during the 7 year tribulation period. Third, Christ at end of the 7 year tribulation period destroys the Antichrist and his wicked followers (Revelation 19). Fourth, Christ sets up His millenial kingdom prophesied so often in the Old Testament.

When will it occur?

Of the exact time we cannot be for sure. When Jesus was on the earth He said - "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." Mark 13:32. Matthew 23:34, Mark 13:28-31 and Luke 21:29-33 and Luke 21:24 may well indicate that the rapture countdown begins when the time of the Gentiles ends. Whether a countdown can be considered as starting in 1948 when Isreal became a nation or some other date is a matter of opinion. I can't be like the Jehovah Witnesses, who have already falsely set several dates for Jesus' return. So far they have been been wrong on all of their predictions. Don't fall for the false teachings of Jehovah Witnesses, or any other cult. The most important thing is to live your life like the rapture could happen any moment. In other words, you had better BE READY!!!! You won't have time to clean up your mess. He is not coming to clean you up this time, He is coming to gather you up if you are ready.