| The Anti-Christ, the Rapture and the 7 year Tribulation period |
| All through the New Testament, Jesus tells us to watch and be ready for his return. He makes it clear that we will not know the hour or the day of his return, but we will know the generation and the "signs." Therefore, it is not only okay to watch for the signs, but we are told to watch for the signs! |
| The Antichrist Guessing who the Antichrist is has always been a well exercised part of being a Christian. A very smart Pastor once told me that the Bible teaches us that satan does not know the future. That means that there is always an Antichrist young, middle aged and old at any given point in time. Hilter was probably an Antichrist if that had been the right time. Many others have existed. I'm sure there are a few candidates roaming around right now. The Bible teaches that the Antichrist will not know he is the Antichrist until satan "possesses" or controls him or her. This is what the Bible says about the Antichrist: Bible References Revelation actually refers to 2 Beasts, one from the Sea and one out of the earth (Rev 13). Beast from the sea: The beast from the sea is the one that is mentioned to sustain a "fatal head wound," that is healed. The world was astonished and followed the beast. Revelation said that men worshipped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast. "all inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast-all those whose names have not been written in the book of life." The beast from the earth: This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. He makes the inhabitants to worship the first beast. He performs great miraculous signs. He orders them to worship an image of the first beast. The image could "speak." It is this beast that causes all to receive a "mark on his right hand or on his forehead." This is where the 666 is mentioned as the number of the beast. The term "Antichrist(s)" is actually only mentioned in the books of First and Second John (1John 2:18, 22;4:3) (2John 7). Daniel uses the term "abomination that causes desolation (Dan 12:11)." Revelation uses Beast. So what does this all mean, isn't there only one Antichrist? There are many great books on this subjects, many by such great authors as Hal Lindsey, Tex Marrs, Grant Jeffries and many more. These books are a must for the casual interest or an in-dept study. In short most believe that the Antichrist is the first beast and the second beast is a religious leader or false prophet as some call him. I have read where some believe that the first beast is the old Roman empire and the second beast is the Antichrist. There are even other variations and interpretations. Suffice it to say that there is at least one "human being" that will be considered the Antichrist and will be controlled by the dragon (satan) in the end time Tribulation. That this "Antichrist" will be a powerful ruler and a very evil leader. But most will think he is good and some will even believe he is the Messiah! Check my "top ten list" for some current candidates. |
| The Rapture The Rapture is not in the Bible. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says that we "will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Matthew 24:40 says "two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left." There are a few other areas that reference a "Rapture," but the word does not exist in the Bible in this context. That said, is there a Rapture? In short, Yes! When is the bigger question. The Bible is clear that a catching away of believers is going to happen, but not when. The Rapture must occur either before, during or after the Tribulation. These are all the possibilities, if you believe in the Rapture. There are "Pre-Trib" Christians, they believe that the Rapture occurs just prior to the Tribulation period (7 years). They base this mostly on the fact that Noah was taken out before the flood and that the tribulation period is for the Jews and non-believers. Arnold Fruchtenbaum at Ariel Ministries believes in a Pre-Trib Rapture and presents his case well. I will not go into the specifics, but Pre-Trib and Mid-Trib, use the same basic arguments, the difference is explained below. Then there are the "Post-Trib" Christians. They believe that all will go through the tribulation period and then the Christians will be raptured. There is not much basis for this belief, other than why would Christians be raptured before the Tribulation period if Revelations clearly speaks to a tribulation period for Christians. The big part missing here is the fact that the Bible speaks to "as in the days of Noah," time to be shortened, time of the gentiles, time of the Jews, etc. Etc. Then we have "Mid-Trib" Christians. I believe this is the correct time period. From reading the Bible, it seems clear that Christians will learn who the "Antichrist" is, see some of the tribulation period, but will not be around when the non-Christians and Jews are struggling to become Christian. This leads me to believe that the Rapture occurs somewhere just after the midpoint (see the Tribulation paragraph below). Why? Because the first 3 1/2 years is peaceful (therefore the Antichrist seems to not be in power or possessed). The second 3 1/2 years are years of horrible tribulations, the Antichrist will be known to the Christians (the Bible says even the elect might be fooled - this means many Christians may even be fooled on who he is. This causes me to believe that he or she is very acceptable to many groups.) That it will be difficult for non Christians to become Christian, that there is persecution and many Jews will realize who Jesus really was. This tells me that the Rapture probably happens shortly into the second 3 1/2 year period. But we are not to know exactly, just that it will happen. FURTHER ANALYSIS OF PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE My Church believes that the Rapture happens before the tribulation. First let me say, It really doesn't matter which of the three theories you believe, because only one is correct and all the others will be false. So there will be many Christians that will be surprised either that they arrived in Heaven sooner and that they arrived later than they believed. The important thing is to believe in the Lord and go with Him. However, I find this and many other interpretations enjoyable to debate, as no one but Jesus knows all the correct interpretations of the "mysteries." Thats what makes Christians keep interested, the "mysteries." After analyzing my position, sparked by a conversation with my Pastor, I looked at a very knowledgeable scholars work. Arnold Fruchtenbaum at Ariel Ministries believes in a Pre-Trib Rapture and presents his case well. He just comes to a different conclusion and I believe it is because he doesn't handle Matthew 24:22, Mark 13:20, Mark 13.22, 1Thes 4:16 and 2Thes 2:1 and 2:3 as they should be. We can all agree that there is 7 years still unaccounted for and this is the 7 year period called Tribulation. We know that the 7 year period is broken into two 3 1/2 year periods. We know from the Scripture that the first half is of peace and the second half is the bad half. Now the interpretations get different. Mat 24:22 states "and unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." No doubt this is speaking of the tribulation period, no other period could be referenced here. Since 7 years was missing and needs to be accounted for, to shorten it means less than a 7 year period for the bad time. The second 3 1/2 years accounts for this. It is a time of peace as stated in the Scriptures. Mark 13:20 clarifies that the days were shortened even more. Mark 13:22 says "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." This is after 13:20 and is speaking of the 7 year Tribulation period. Who is the "elect" that he's talking about? Every time he mentions "elect" in the New Testament, he is speaking of the saved Christians. If you interpret this as the new Christians during the Tribulation period, why would it be a surprise that they are fooled, they would be young in Christ and easily fooled. If the Rapture has already occurred, those left and converted would be less likely to be subject to fooling, since Christians are Raptured all over the earth. The new Christians will know who the Antichrist is and know what has taken place. Its probably what spurs on their conversion. No, it speaks of Christians that have been waiting for Jesus and the Rapture and are well versed. They will be subject to almost being deceived. 1Thes 4:16 says "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." This is clearly pointing to the Rapture, not his 2nd coming. 2Thes 2:1 states "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him" The two key words are "and" and "to." Clearly this passage is again speaking of His return to Rapture us, not His 2nd coming. 2Thes 2:3, which is following the explanation from 2:1, states "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition." "That Day" clearly is referencing the Rapture and the "man of sin" is the antichrist. This means that the Rapture doesn't occur til after the "man of sin" is revealed, therefore the Christians waiting for the Rapture know who the Antichrist is. We know from other Scripture, the Antichrist is revealed in the second half of the 7 year period. There is a good argument for the Holy Spirit being removed when we are raptured. In 2 Thessalonians 2. It speaks of the "lawless one" being revealed (which we know is another title for the Antichrist) and in 2:7 it then says "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. " The holy Spirit is called the "Restrainer." When the Holy Spirit leaves when we get raptured, then it is a very bad time on earth (no restrainer). Yet the first 3 1/2 years is peaceful. Possibly another clue that the rapture is after the mid point. Therefore I believe that sometime after the first 3 1/2 years, the Antichrist is revealed to Christians and shortly after that the Rapture occurs. No one knows the time, only the Father. I wish we were Raptured before the 7 year period, sure would be nice, but I don't believe the Scripture bears that out. Either way is will be great! |
| The Tribulation Period This is the missing 7 year period spoke of in the Bible in many areas. The book of Daniel and Revelation speak to it the most. Many books by very learned scholars have been written on this subject, I will just give a very brief account for clarification purposes only. The "Tribulation" period is a 7 year period that was missing from the total time that God gave the Israelites. It is the period at the end of time of the gentiles or the time of grace that is spoken of in the Bible. In short it is the end time period. It is made up of two 3 1/2 year periods, the first being a time of peace, the second being a horrible time of persecution and war. It's clear in the Bible that this time is given to the non-believers and the Jews to return to Christ Jesus as Savior. It states that it will be harder for new Christians because of the times and the persecutions. But those that endure, will be saved. As mentioned above, I think that current Evangelical Born Again Christians will be raptured sometime after the mid point. This will give a time to the Jews and the non-Christians. As in the days of Noah, the rain started before they entered in the ark. The days of persecution, evil, mocking also came before he entered into the ark. Revelation and Matthew 24 have the most detail of this Tribulation period. Many things are prophesied to occur, famines, earthquakes in different places, Christians being hated just for being Christian, many false prophets, fire either erupting in the sea or falling into the sea, wars and rumours of wars, signs in the sky, signs in the seas, and many more you must read for yourself. One big sign is the "abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel," standing in the holy place. This is usually understood to mean the temple mount area in Jerusalem. The Bible gives us an overview at first, it teaches us that the end time period will be "like the birth pangs of a women," during a time when knowledge is increased and we travel to and fro. This means that the problems will slowing increase in severity and shorten in time interval. It also means that it will occur when we as a people will be in a period of great knowledge and ability to travel. Another major item had to occur before the end time period could occur, that was the return of the Jewish Nation to Israel. This happened May 14, 1948 (5th of Iyar, 5708). It happened has a result of the persecution by Hitler trying to wipe out the Jews! I think satan was trying to kill enough Jews to stall the coming of the end time. It turned out that the holocaust was the catalyst for the Jewish nation. Jerusalem was not taken until 1967. A normal generation in the Bible was 40 years. I believe that 1967 is when any type of time period estimates should begin. Revelations states clearly that when the two witnesses, that God sends to help the world know what to do, are killed, all the world will see them in 3 days. In most of history, this was impossible, today satellite communications with television and cable TV have made it a reality. All those alive during the tribulations will have an opportunity to accept Jesus, but it will be more difficult due to the tribulation period. Signs and Things to watch for:
|